Kate Forbes has spoken to the BBC and says she is “weighing up” whether to stand for the SNP leadership. An ally says not to expect any announcement today as it’s only been 48 hours since Humza Yousaf announced his resignation.

The Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says he will call a vote of no confidence in First Minister Humza Yousaf after the collapse of the SNP-Green government deal.

A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, 18 April, 2024, been re-arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party. scotland.police.uk/what-s-happeni…

Interesting “behind the scenes” view and explanation/justification on the origin of Scotland’s climate targets from a former senior figure in the Scottish Government:

The Justice Secretary Angela Constance has admitted at Holyrood that the Scottish Government could have 'done more' to inform people about the controversial new Hate Crime Act.

Reacting to the news that Angela Rayner is to be investigated by police, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said she would comply fully and would be open and willing to answer all questions. He also accused the Conservatives of mudslinging to stay in power.

BBC understands that Wilma Brown, Labour candidate for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, has been suspended pending an investigation into her social media use.

32 is the minimum. It’s up to individual branches to decide and so it could go higher.

I understand the Scottish Green Party is to field 32 candidates in this year’s general election. That’s the most ever. 31 was the record in the 2015 election.

At the Scottish Green Party conference in Edinburgh, applause for co-leader Lorna Slater as she demands an end to arms sales to Israel and Israeli military flights from U.K. airports. Also emphasises support for trans rights in week of Hate Crime Act coverage.

Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie says Scotland needs a reset on climate policy with fundamental changes. Need to shift emphasis away from targets to accelerated action. This comes after a warning that 2030 targets were unreachable.

Patrick Harvie is giving the first of the co-leader speeches at the Scottish Green Party conference.He thanked members for making the choice to go into government so they could introduce policies like the new Housing Bill, saying it brings in a permanent system of rent controls.

Red start to the Green spring conference in Edinburgh. Start delayed due to fire alarm. Members half-joking about the “climate emergency”.

The First Minister has warned the Prime Minister he risks being complicit in the killing of innocent civilians if the UK carries on selling arms to Israel. Humza Yousaf was speaking after Israel’s strike on the aid convoy. SNP has already said Westminster should be re-called.

The First Minister has been defending his Hate Crime policy - and criticising JK Rowling’s tweets. Humza Yousaf said her posts are frankly offensive, insulting and upsetting to trans people but it doesn’t mean they meet the threshold of criminality.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has taken to the stage at the party’s spring conference in Aberdeen. He’s telling members that right across Scotland his party is taking the fight to the SNP and says they are winning.

The Prime Minister is now addressing the Scottish Conservative spring conference in Aberdeen. He thanks Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, for “everything he does to keep the union strong”. PM says a vote for any other party is a vote to shut down the oil & gas industry.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has introduced the former SNP MP Lisa Cameron to the Scottish Conservative party spring conference in Aberdeen. He said she was a truly great signing.