Tag

First Minister's Questions

Latest stories tagged First Minister's Questions.

John Swinney standing while speaking in Holyrood

Scotland

Swinney hits back at ‘baseless’ claims of SNP ‘cover-up’ of Murrell’s crimes

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay had insisted the First Minister was ‘at the heart of the cover-up’.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland Political Editor · 25 Jun 2026 · 2 min read

A man walking though a large data centre

Scotland

Swinney to ‘explore’ if data centre decisions should be made locally

The First Minister said he is also considering whether planning guidance should be issued to local authorities for such applications.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland Political Editor · 25 Jun 2026 · 2 min read

John Swinney gesturing with his hands during a speech

Scotland

John Swinney urged to ‘pause’ applications for hyperscale data centres

Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer made the plea at First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland political editor · 18 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

John Swinney speaking while surrounded by members of the press

Scotland

Party leaders condemn new ‘pen’ restricting journalists at Scottish Parliament

A barrier has been installed to contain reporters when doorstepping MSPs after First Minister’s Questions.

By Craig Meighan, Press Association Scotland Political Reporter · 18 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Scotland

Swinney will ‘make no apology’ to Musk after accusing him of misinformation

The First Minister said he did not think the trillionaire was ‘an actor in good faith’ after he commented on an incident in Dundee last year.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland Political Editor · 18 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Protesters dressed in black with their arms in the air, while police look on

Scotland

Far-right has no place on our streets, says Swinney after Glasgow demo

The Scottish First Minister condemned the behaviour of balaclava-clad demonstrators ‘doing Nazi salutes’.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland Political Editor · 16 Jun 2026 · 1 min read

Scotland

John Swinney hails ‘tremendous inspiration’ of Scotland’s World Cup win

The First Minister also praised the Tartan Army supporters for making a ‘positive impression’ in Boston.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland political editor · 16 Jun 2026 · 2 min read

First Minister John Swinney has announced extra funding to help after residents in a former mining village were evacuated from their homes. (Jane Barlow/PA)

Scotland

Swinney pledges £1m to council to help in wake of Coalsnaughton evacuation

First Minister John Swinney said Clackmannanshire Council was dealing with an ‘exceptional and unforeseen event’ in Coalsnaughton.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland political editor · 9 Jun 2026 · 2 min read

Scotland

SNP in talks with taxman over VAT linked to Murrell purchases, Swinney reveals

The First Minister said his party had started talks with HMRC in the wake of former chief executive Peter Murrell embezzling more than £400,000.

By Katrine Bussey, Craig Paton and Rachel Keenan, Press Association Scotland political staff · 4 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

John Swinney speaks during First Minister's Questions

Scotland

John Swinney accused of trying to ‘shut down scrutiny’ of SNP and Peter Murrell

The Scottish First Minister faced questions at Holyrood after his party’s former chief executive admitted embezzling £400,000 from the SNP.

By Katrine Bussey and Rachel Keenan, Press Association Scotland political staff · 28 May 2026 · 4 min read

Scotland

Swinney vows he will not ‘kowtow to Downing Street’ over Scottish independence

The First Minister has insisted he will use the ‘independence majority’ at Holyrood.

By Katrine Bussey, Press Association Scotland political editor · 28 May 2026 · 2 min read

Kenneth Gibson seated in the Presiding Officer's chair at Holyrood

Scotland

FMQs to take place twice a week amid Holyrood shake-up

The new Presiding Officer also announced Labour and Reform will take turns questioning John Swinney first as both parties have 17 seats.

By Craig Meighan, Press Association Scotland Political Reporter · 21 May 2026 · 2 min read