Good morning, Before we begin today, we remember the fallen on Remembrance Day. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them. Since the end of World War Two, thousands of British men and women have died in conflicts involving the UK - but their sacrifices are all-too-often forgotten. This is the story of those conflicts - and the stories of those who fought in them. Insults uttered during indyref could be prosecuted as hate crime The “hotbed of insults” generated during constitutional campaigns such as Scottish independence and Brexit could be prosecuted under proposed new hate crime legislation, it has been claimed. The Scottish Government’s draft Hate Crime Bill, currently being scrutinised in Holyrood, could criminalise the “robust exchanges” made between people of opposing political views, MSPs have heard. Do you agree with this? Read Gina Davidson's full story and have your say in the comment section of the article. If you value what we do please consider taking out a subscription, to support our work to keep people informed throughout this pandemic. Try us out today for as little as £3 a month. 'Scottish Government may have something to hide' In today's opinion section Tory MSP Murdo Fraser argues the only reason for the Scottish Government not to publish legal advice relating to Alex Salmond is if they have something to hide. Mr Fraser writes: "We are dealing here with no ordinary matter, but rather a catastrophic failure within the Scottish government that led to a pay-out from the taxpayer to the former First Minister of over £500,000 in legal expenses." Pub chain blasts FM's tier system Pubs giant JD Wetherspoon has blasted the Scottish Government’s “extremely onerous tier system” saying it was having a “serious effect on trade”. The attack came as the group, which has 64 pubs trading in Scotland, revealed that first-quarter sales had plunged 27.6 per cent. It warned that it will burn through some £14 million while 756 pubs are forced to close for a month as a result of the second English lockdown. Read the full story here. Thanks for reading, stay safe, Sam Shedden, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk |