"There's no point me having a glamorous, comfortable retirement if the country that I bequeath to my children is at great military risk" General Sir Richard Barrons says he would "release the triple lock in order to put more money back into things like defence." #Newsnight

Murrell told family of woman who donated £20k to the SNP in her will to 'only deal with him' archive.ph/NqmtO

This makes much more sense than that of obstinately refusing any kind of enquiry, provided it’s done properly

"John Swinney could have leaned into this and come out with more credibility, had he acted decisively." @geoffaberdein breaks down how the SNP leader missed a chance to distance himself from the past and protect his leadership after the embezzlement scandal. "He's not convincing in some of his answers." @akmaciver | @CalumAM

Just re-upping this after listening Ross Greer on Radio Scotland. He showed remarkably little concern for Scottish Green Party members who may have contributed to the ‘ring-fenced’ indyref fund. His ‘independent review’ would not have power to compel witnesses or other evidence.

Looks like the SNP will back the Green amendment today in to “an independent review into party political finances…independently led rather than conducted by a parliamentary committee and that its remit must apply to the funding of all political parties”

I always feared that the welcome reform to elect Convenors of Scottish Parliament Committees would fall victim to party political stitch ups. This is what used to happen. However, by requiring elections with candidates needing a seconder from another party, I thought this would improve matters. A number of contenders could seek support from as MSP from another party. However, it appears that the opportunity for some democracy and transparency has been lost. Why? 1/2

When Holyrood was established as a unicameral system it placed extra weight on the role of committees in legislation and in scrutiny of the executive. This is where the hard work should be done. Do MSPs and the parties in Holyrood see it that way, though?

Totally undermines what some of us long advocated.

Well apart from one committee, all nominees are uncontested. So it looks like each party appointed their chosen nominee and said to another - "you second our candidate and we will second yours" Committees are a vitally important part of Parliament and its hugely disappointing that MSPs did not see this as an opportunity to put themselves forward independent of their party bosses and provide a real choice for voters. Grr. holyrood.com/news/view,two-s…

Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie banks £4.7m payday after Virgin Money deal bit.ly/4ahjM3W

Today's front page: A businessman boasted of giving Peter Murrell £50,000 to help a relative become an MP. #scotpapers Read More: dailyrecord.co.uk/news/peter…

I have subsequently been informed by a very reliable and well-placed source* that COPFS is in fact NOT even answerable to the King. *my source is not the King

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham is expected to keep Rachel Reeves as Chancellor if he becomes PM A Labour MP who lobbied for such said: "It’s a done deal. The last thing Andy will want to do is spook the markets" [@theipaper]

Possible escape route for Swinney would be to commission, as SNP leader, an independent inquiry chaired by someone of impeccable standing - somebody like Elish Angiolini. He could then oppose Westminster and Holyrood inquiries saying the matter was already under investigation.