well, let me first start by paying tribute to nicola sturgeon - for her long standing public service, and i wish her- well in the future. obviously, nicola and i didn t agree on everything, - but in the short time that we did work together, i was pleased . that we were able to announce two freeports in scotland that sjoint working - between the uk government and the scottish government. those freeports are going to attract investment and create jobs - in scotland, which is great i and i look forward to working with whoever the new first minister is to continue working constructively to deliver i for the people of scotland. i first met nicola sturgeon when i was 12 years old because she was standing in an election against my father and there s been lots of disagreements, lots of arguments, lots of back and forth. but one thing you can t doubt is this is someone that is an able politician, someone who has been in politics for 20 years, and that level of service is, of course, worth
i was pleased that we were able to announce two freeports i in scotland, that s joint working between the uk governmentl and the scottish government. those freeports are going to attract investment and create jobs - in scotland, which is great, i and i look forward to working with whoever the new first minister is to continue working constructively to deliver i for the people of scotland. one thing you can t doubt is this is someone that is an able politician, someone who has been in politics for 20 years, and that level of service is, of course, worthy of respect and thanks. alex salmond was once a close friend and mentor. now he s a political opponent. the key litmus test is going to be whether the next leader sees the opportunity to redefine the strategy for independence, to broaden the base of the independence campaign, and starts articulating the fundamental case for scottish self determination. i am not going to say who my preference will be to succeed me. but many are asking t
say the talks were cordial, there was a lot of discussion about the nhs, it is a joint announcement later about the green freeports expected to be located in the cromarty firth area in the highlands and down the forth, but there are areas in which the two sides will never meet. 0ne areas in which the two sides will never meet. one of those is the empty strike legislation going through westminster to curb the right to strike in certain public sectors to make sure there are minimum standards and minimal staffing levels. nicola sturgeon says she is strongly opposed to this. we were told there are robust exchanges of views when it comes to the push for a second independence referendum which is not supported by the westminster government but holyrood would like to see happen and, of course, there is this gender recognition bill passed out holyrood just before christmas and that deadline of the middle of next week
at the mancuso trial. translation: the words repeated were always the same. kill, kill, kill . i was brought up as a child soldier and it began at a very young age. the ndrangheta is a monster. a multi headed hydra. it s a matter of time that the mancuso clan will regroup, and they will be back stronger than ever. and so, no rest for nicola gratteri. hero to many, enemy of some, italy s anti mafia crusader goes on. the devotion, the sacrifice, for a battle italy may never stop fighting. mark lowen, bbc news, calabria. areas around inverness and the river forth have been awarded freeport status, in a scheme agreed by the scottish and uk governments. freeports offer tax incentives, with the aim of stimulating economic growth in an area. the two winning bids were announced
as rishi sunak continued his first visit to scotland as prime minister. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon is in invergordon. so was this a full show of unity here? ~ , , g ., so was this a full show of unity here? ~ , , , . ., so was this a full show of unity here? ~ , , ., , here? well, yes, jane. i think this “oint here? well, yes, jane. i think this joint announcement here? well, yes, jane. i think this joint announcement about - here? well, yes, jane. i think this joint announcement about these l here? well, yes, jane. i think this- joint announcement about these green freeports here on the cromarty area and the firth of forth indicate a willingness to cooperate and work together in some areas. there was that private dinner between the first minister and the prime minister which both sides afterwards described as cordial, but there are still many areas where big differences remain. we are told that there was a robust exchange of views at that dinner on the issue of indepe