Richard Watt
@PR_Watt
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Dad, ex-Parkinson's carer. A hippopotamus laboriously attempting to pick up a pea in a corner of its cage.
A field in Angus
Joined February 2013
Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has condemned the government’s decision in today’s Budget to reject replacement of the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) in 2026 – a move that will cost tens of thousands of jobs, cripple investment, and undermine Scotland and the UK’s energy security.
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It sometimes feels like we’re in the middle of a total collapse of ethics and accountability in public life. Question: will anybody suffer any adverse consequences from this, other than Eljamel’s victims?
NEW: NHS Tayside has destroyed 40 hard copy theatre logbooks containing info on surgeries carried out by disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel between 1995 & 2013. They were wrecked in July this year despite a ‘Do Not Destroy’ order being in place. @SkyNews
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Great work from members of the press covering these hugely important and long-awaited proceedings.
https://t.co/Uu1Tvj8ruo BREAKING: NHS Tayside destroyed 40 theatre operating logbooks key to Eljamel public inquiry
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NEW: NHS Tayside has destroyed 40 hard copy theatre logbooks containing info on surgeries carried out by disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel between 1995 & 2013. They were wrecked in July this year despite a ‘Do Not Destroy’ order being in place. @SkyNews
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Jaw dropper… details of forecasts based on the chancellor’s decisions available half an hour before she even stands
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EXC: The SNP Justice Secretary has denied misrepresenting expert Alexis Jay on a Scottish grooming gang inquiry. Angela Constance said she gave an “accurate” account of the Professor's views despite the Government issuing a clarification. https://t.co/34OexgK3lc
dailyrecord.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE: Angela Constance said she gave an “accurate” account of Professor Alexis Jay’s views despite the Government issuing a clarification.
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Prof Mitchell correctly recalls a rare text/WhatsApp exchange that hadn’t been deleted. Liz Lloyd (chief of staff): “Think I just want a good old fashioned rammy so can think about something other than sick people.” Nicola Sturgeon: “Yeah I get it. And it might be worth doing.”
https://t.co/qpmnEf0vJJ Her ‘thought partner’ ie chief spin doctor wanted a ‘good old fashioned rammy’ with London. Why would that be desirable during the pandemic? This brazenness, more than refusal to acknowledge the evidence and apologise, is appalling but all too typical.
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For Women Scotland wins Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year at The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2025, in association with ScottishPower https://t.co/cy9kuG4huY
#politicianawards25
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I’m a softie for the principle of trade unions, even though all three I’ve been a member of never did a jot of work for my dues. Groupthink is not what they are for. EIS should know how dangerous othering is, and how this could affect teaching.
In the latest illustration of ‘everyone who disagrees with me is basically Hitler’, here’s Scotlands biggest teaching union EIS saying that anyone who is pro-business is ‘far-right’ 🤦♂️
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At FMQs today John Swinney was repeatedly asked about what has happened to this plan, and he repeatedly dodged the question. Presumably because the plan doesn’t exist and nothing was done after the April 2024 announcement.
Màiri McAllan (then Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero & Energy) announced in April 2024 that a just transition plan for Mossmorran would be developed. Kate Forbes yesterday told parliament she would need to “double check” what has happened to that plan.
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The number of deaths linked to dementia in Scotland is rising year on year, serving as a stark reminder that much more must be done to support those affected. Read our full response:
agescotland.org.uk
The latest figures released by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) reveal the highest number of deaths from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias since 2000.
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Campaigners packed a special meeting of the authority in Forfar to decide the authority’s response to the planned Kintore to Tealing 400kV overhead line project.
thecourier.co.uk
Campaigners packed a special meeting of the authority in Forfar to decide the authority’s response to the planned Kintore to Tealing 400kV overhead line project.
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Final wee punt for my Scotsman piece today, on how @mbmpolicy and @ForWomenScot, unpaid women's groups, have been a more effective opposition to the SNP than Scottish Labour. That's mortifying for Sarwar. It's also terrible politics. Time to step up. ⬇️
scotsman.com
Anas Sarwar is failing to capitalise on John Swinney’s stance on trans-identifying males in prisons
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It's unanimous — the full @AngusCouncil has voted to OBJECT to the Kintore to Tealing 400kV overhead line application by SSEN under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. Game on with Scottish Ministers
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John Swinney tells parliament he is going to carry on saying the taxpayers claim is true, even though it was clearly false for the last two financial years, and may or may not turn out to be true this year. This is not a First Minister who wants voters to understand the truth.
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Plucky Hearts holding United to a draw.
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Angus is on borrowed time. Will he elect to go tomorrow, or will he last to night before FMQs?
Exc: Ex chair of heritage agency made repeated attempts to meet Angus Robertson amid growing crisis, leaked email shows. "I remain puzzled I have not had a meeting..since he took on responsibility for HES," he told top official. @heraldscotland
https://t.co/Y1zfPSpa9m
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