Dispute over Royal Mile Whiskies stocking English malt

By Rory Reynolds

ONE of Scotland’s top whisky suppliers has become embroiled in a heated dispute over its decision to stock English whisky.

Royal Mile Whiskies in Edinburgh are to sell the English Whisky Company’s Chapter I next month after preview bottles proved a big hit.

But despite the approval of top noses, purists say they are appalled at the move, with one adding the firm have “betrayed Scotland” by stocking the Norfolk-distilled drink.

Arthur Motley, Royal Mile Whisky’s buyer, said: “We got some negative feedback, mostly from American Scots, said things like, ‘how could you?’ and ‘you’ve betrayed Scotland’.

“Some people were riled, but hopefully most of the comments were meant in a light-hearted way.”

Animal rights group brands top restaurant critic a “legitimate target” after baboon slaughter

By Rory Reynolds

THE ANIMAL Liberation Front have said that restaurant critic AA Gill is a “legitimate target” after he boasted of how he shot dead a baboon for sport.

The group – who have been involved in terror attacks on workers involved in animal research – have said that some of its members may take “direct action” against the writer.

The Sunday Times columnist boasted to readers last week that he gunned down the endangered creature on a safari in Tanzania, to “get a sense of what it might be like to kill someone”.

The Edinburgh-born writer, 55, said: “I took him just below the armpit. He slumped and slid sideways.

“I’m told they can be tricky to shoot: they run up trees, hang on for grim life.

Scottish court service lost in translation

By Kirsty Taylor

POLITICIANS are urging the Scottish Government to “sort out” problems within the court translation service as it is revealed that there is a real risk of serious miscarriages of justice.

It has been claimed that trials are being handled by inexperienced interpreters following the implementation of a new Government tender.

Angry translators have now formed an action group after becoming increasingly concerned at the impact the new contract is having on their jobs – and on the Scottish criminal justice system.

The newly formed Scottish Interpreters and Translators Association (SITA) fears qualified interpreters are being “held to ransom” because translation companies have undercut market rates to win the contracts to supply interpreters to Scottish courts and other government services.

And they plan to take their protest to Alex Salmond in a bid to highlight how court cases could be jeopardised by inexperienced interpreters translating in trials and how the Government have missed a chance to ‘professionalise’ the service.

RBS nears nationalisation as state increases stake to 84%

By Rory Reynolds

THE UK Treasury is to plough billions of pounds into the beleaguered Royal Bank of Scotland, as part of a massive state-backed insurance scheme.

The Scots bank will become 84 per cent owned by the taxpayer, bringing it a step closer to being completely state-owned.

A Treasury announcement this week will confirm that RBS is to sign up to a controversial £270billion deal to pump government funds into a state insurance scheme.

RBS – which was once the richest bank in the world by assets, and at the centre of the UK banking crisis – will receive up to £19billion of new capital.

The move will mean that the organisation – which is already 73 per cent state-owned – will be virtually nationalized, with only a handful of private shareholders remaining.

Army could lose Edinburgh Castle HQ after 250 years

By Rory Reynolds

THE British Army could have to leave its Scottish base at Edinburgh Castle after two and a half centuries to make way for more tourist attractions.

Confidential documents have revealed that Historic Scotland bosses – who own the castle – and military top brass are to meet next month to determine the future of the ancient site.

The group will discuss scaling down of the garrison at the castle, which currently serves as the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Around 40 soldiers are currently housed at the site at the Brigade Headquarters, the Officers Mess and a detachment of the Royal Military Police.

The meeting has indicated that there could soon be a major re-structuring of the British Army in Scotland, with the army base being moved for the first time since 1745.

Hollywood hunk Gerry Butler to return to Scotland

By Cara Sulieman

SCOTTISH hunk Gerard Butler is returning to his roots for the European premiere of his new film, Law Abiding Citizen.

He has said it will be a “thank you” to his hometown for the support he has received during his career.

But it has also been revealed that the heart-throb has turned away from a film about Rabbie Burns, sparking fears that the movie will be axed completely.

Butler revealed the Glasgow premiere in a recent online chat with fans.

Scottish politicians told they can claim back Remembrance Day wreaths on expenses

By Cara Sulieman

SCOTTISH politicians will be allowed to claim back the cost of Remembrance Day poppy wreaths on their expenses – despite a ruling banning Westminster MPs from doing the same.

The news comes just a week before the traditional services to pay tribute to the country’s fallen heroes.

The decision comes as a surprise as earlier this year fifteen MSPs were criticised for claiming back the wreaths as “running costs” last year.

Following a public outcry, all fifteen paid the money back.

VisitScotland embroiled in spending row

By Cara Sulieman

A GOVERNMENT body has come under fire after spending nearly a quarter of a million pounds at a luxury hotel that is run by its chairman.

VisitScotland has confirmed that it paid that amount for events and accommodation at the five star Gleneagles hotel, which is owned by Diageo.

The cash was paid at the time when Peter Lederer was both the chairman of the quango and managing director of the company that runs the hotel.

Part of the £49 million budget for VisitScotland – who promotes the country as a desirable destination – is used to host events and bring in extra investment.