Experts round on Salmond’s “weight problem” ahead of obesity war

By Michael MacLeod

SCOTLAND’S First Minister has been slammed for “letting himself go” by fat-fighting health campaigners.

The National Obesity Forum say curry-loving SNP leader Alex Salmond should “be more responsible” in setting an example as he leads the Scottish Government’s war on bulging waistlines.

They questioned the credibility of the fun-loving First Minister – known for his attention-grabbing stunts – ahead of a new Scottish Government battle on flab.

Since securing power in the Scottish Parliament he has been photographed scoffing pies to promote Scottish produce and posing in a chef’s hat and clutching a curry while judging the Indian chef of the year contest.

The call for political heavyweights to “practice what you preach” comes as an expert report estimated Scotland’s obesity epidemic costs the taxpayer £457 million per year.

Health quango back-tracks on external PR contract

By Cara Sulieman

A SCOTTISH health quango has back-tracked on plans to hire an external public relations company after coming under fire from politicians.

NHS Health Scotland put out a tender worth £120,000 for a “public affairs agency” to help them get their message across at parliament.

But last week Labour MSP Richard Baker called for Audit Scotland to investigate the contract as he thought it was a waste of public money.

He said that ministers needed to “make sure they are getting their priorities right” and questioned the value for money of the contract.

And now the quango – responsible for organising national health campaigns – has cancelled the contract, saying very little about their decision only that they had decided to do it themselves.

Swine flu claims seventh victim in Scotland

By Michael MacLeod

SCOTLAND’S swine flu death toll rose to seven last night when it was revealed a 52 year-old man has died from the disease in an Edinburgh hospital.

The man, who has not been named, is the capital’s first swine flu fatality and the second in Scotland in under a week.

He was said to have been suffering “significant” underlying health problems.

The Scottish Government insisted his death should be no cause for panic among the general public.

He died on Wednesday night at the Western General Hospital but his death was not made public until last night (Thursday).