BORIS Johnson is an “absolute asset” to the Union and the Scottish Conservative cause in the run-up to the May Holyrood elections, Alister Jack has insisted, as he argued that the UK Government was “not losing the argument on the Union”.

Labour has accused former minister Sir Desmond Swayne of spreading “dangerous misinformation” about coronavirus and has called for the Tories to take action.

Follow along with the latest coronavirus news in Scotland and further afield.

EVERY party ties itself in knots now and again. Evolving positions and practical necessity make fools of them all.

HAD there been no footage one might have dismissed it as the fake news of its day. For here was an event on a par with aliens landing in George Square, Nessie being sighted in the Clyde, or a midge-free summer.

Cybercriminals are advertising valuable personal data about consumers involving some of the biggest shopping names, a new investigation has revealed.

MPS are to debate whether the expiry of theory test certificates should be extended during the pandemic to avoid learners paying double fees.

Lawyers across Scotland have written to the country’s court service raising serious concerns about Covid-19 safety measures.

THE United Kingdom's horrific death toll of 100,000 from a total population of 67 million ("Deeply sorry: UK death toll passes 100,000", The Herald, January 27) is far worse than the American death toll of 425,000 from a population of 328m. If the US...

SCOTS with dementia could be missed in the Covid vaccination rollout if there is no provision for home visits or additional support put in place to ensure parity of access, campaigners have warned.

THE summer of 2021 will mark the 20th anniversary of the facility that is home from home away from Ibrox.

Campaigners are demanding urgent funding for all families seeking to defer a child’s entry to P1 amid concerns some have essentially been “forced” to send youngsters to school at the age of only 4.

Cybercriminals are advertising valuable personal data about consumers involving some of the biggest shopping names, a new investigation has revealed.

Scotland's Finance Secretary is preparing to outline the Scottish Government's latest Budget in Holyrood today.

TSB has confirmed it is forging ahead with the closure of 73 Scots branches with the loss of 300 jobs.

TSB is forging ahead with closures of 73 bank branches and a cut of around 300 jobs despite appeals to save branches in remote and most deprived areas of Scotland.

AMID the seemingly never-ending torrent of bad news that has engulfed the retail sector in recent months, this week’s bombshell events had a particular ring of sadness.

LIKE many independence supporters, while I wish to see a second referendum, I’ve no desire for that vote to be held until the pandemic is beaten and society on the road to recovery. Political upheaval amid coronavirus would be reckless and unsee...

THE Israeli owner of North Sea-focused Ithaca Energy has said it is considering a flotation of the business as it moves to bolster its balance sheet.

IT is a flagship hospice providing care for those terminally ill with cancer as well as helping to support people in the community living with the disease.

Despite having spent 10 years ruminating and writing at length about the life and work of George Wyllie, I still find myself surprised by the energy and output of this most singular of Scottish artists.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to visit Scotland on Thursday, despite First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's questions over its necessity.

Fans across the world have travelled to Scotland to enjoy the scenic landscapes depicted in hit TV show Outlander.

THE Prime Minister’s darkest hour, children’s mental health and the costly mistake of the Nightingale hospitals were the topics raised by columnists and contributors in the newspapers.

You can still grow spuds even if you only have room for a pot in your garden. Garden Organic expert Emma O'Neill shows you how.

NEW York has been ravaged by the pandemic and at the same time, has experienced a surge in violence to levels not seen in nearly a decade. Now a new campaign, NY Forever, aims to aid the Big Apple’s recovery.

Posh purchasing

Nicola's Sturgeon's defence of the SNP against accusations of transphobia caused a storm on social media, as people weighed in with their views.

Nicola Sturgeon has strongly condened accusations of transphobia within the SNP and said there is no place for it in the party.

MSPS have rejected calls to halt setting up an independence taskforce despite the SNP being told they are “hellbent on pushing their agenda”.

SCOTTISH Labour has been accused of an “attack on frontline workers” by an MSP who is also a vaccinator after calling for the jags to be rolled out 24/7.

BORIS Johnson has insisted he is “very confident” in the UK supplies of the coronavirus vaccine as the European Union demanded that tens of millions of jabs made in Britain be diverted to the continent to make up a shortfall in supplies.

Craig Murray, a former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, faces a contempt of court hearing after posting about Mr Salmond’s trial.

A 'mobile' Covid testing unit has been set up by a health board amid a worrying spike in coronavirus cases.

WE got there in the end. Tuesday’s news that David Martindale, the Livingston manager who has previously served time in prison, would be free to continue his fine work at the West Lothian club after passing the Scottish FA’s fit and proper per...

DOWNING St has hit back at Nicola Sturgeon’s rebuke to Boris Johnson over his visit to Scotland tomorrow when he is expected to use it to emphasise how the Covid vaccination programme has exemplified the strength of the Union.

LOCKDOWN measures south of the border look set to remain in place until the middle of March, Boris Johnson has indicated, as he earmarked March 8 for the reopening of England’s schools.

NICOLA Sturgeon has warned Scots against any booking overseas holidays, as she outlined plans to ramp up travel quarantine in Scotland.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said there should be no limit on the number of people in quarantine at any one time.

Record-breaking North Coast 500 cyclist Josh Quigley is in hospital after another serious crash.

The festival will take place in the indoor and outdoor spaces of the Edinburgh College of Art on Lauriston Place from August 14 to 30.

The UK's financial watchdog is considering raising the limit on contactless payments from £45 to £100 to keep pace with a change in spending habits during the coronavirus crisis.

ALEX Salmond will present bombshell evidence about Nicola Sturgeon in person to the Holyrood inquiry into his legal battle with her government, it has been confirmed.

NICOLA Sturgeon has stressed she is “not ecstatic” about Boris Johnson visiting Scotland during a global pandemic – warning nobody should be travelling unless it is essential.

Residents from certain parts of the Scottish Borders are being called on to book a Covid-19 test, even if they are not showing symptoms of the virus.

A danger of “shockwaves” amid a “febrile” atmosphere on Wall Street has been flagged by an investment expert, amid what he described as a “battle” between “amateur investors” and hedge funds shorting video games seller GameStop.

THE PRIME Minister has again apologised to those who have lost relatives during the coronavirus pandemic after being urged to explain why so many people have died.

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "truly sorry" for any mistakes the Scottish Government has made over the course of the pandemic.

THE UK Government took the “right decisions at the right time” through the coronavirus crisis, a Cabinet minister has insisted, but he also admitted some things could have been done differently.

MEDICAL students have faced "unfair and in some cases inhumane treatment" during an online exam, which saw some would-be doctors failed for putting on a jumper and others left to urinate in their seats.