Mark Irvine - Blogger, Campaigner, Organiser

One of the few moments of light relief at Friday's session of the Holyrood Inquiry came when Alex Salmond deservedly mocked the evidence of Peter Murrell, SNP chief executive and Nicola Sturgeon's husband. In previous evidence Mr Murrell suggested that Alex Salmond might have just 'popped in' for an hugely significant meeting at the Murrell/Sturgeon family home near Glasgow. But Alex Salmond pointed out, fairly I thought, that he lives 200 miles away in Aberdeenshire.  On reflection, I'm sure this must have been obvious to everyone involved - no one makes a four hour car journey (and back) on a whim.     Holyrood Inquiry (27/02/21) Private Eye, the UK's best and only fortnightly satirical magazine, has some fun with the Holyrood Inquiry and Peter Murrell in particular. My favourite lines: "Yet some critics doubted that Peter was true to his oath "And his story was questioned from Falkirk to Arbroath "They said that he seems nervous during his evid...

Hugo Rifkind's My Week column pokes marvellous fun at the Salmond/Sturgeon saga, but he also makes a serious point about the essential gang mentality of party politics.  'Independence from each other' - is a great slogan. Thursday The prime minister telephones. “I suppose you’re calling tae gloat,” I say. “Partly,” says Boris Johnson. “But I was also hoping you could explain what is actually going on.” So I sigh, and I say it’s complicated, but the real problem is that there’s just no independence. “But you’re always saying that,” says Boris. “Not from you,” I say. “Us. From each other. The problem is that my party, the civil service, and the legal system just immediately do whatever I even vaguely tell them to.” “I wish I had that problem,” says Boris, wistfully.    

There have been legal issues around its distribution which the Scottish Government needed to resolve before councils could distribute the money. I understand these were finally resolved with COSLA yesterday. — Cllr Malcolm Cunning (@Malcolm4Linn) February 27, 2021 I heard back from Cllr Malcolm Cunning at Glasgow City Council - apparently the long-awaited Covid Christmas bonus may now become a Covid Easter bonus. I'll be pleased for people when they finally get their extra few hundred pounds, but I still think it's scandalous that so many essential workers have been left out - particularly those in the hospitality and service industries.   Covid Christmas Bonus (27/02/21)   I'm told, on good authority, that social care workers in Glasgow City Council have still not received their Covid Christmas bonus of £500.  A friend of a friend working in the NHS (a nurse) has apparently received her payment which is worth around £360 after tax and nation...

We're going bananas for these gorgeous gentle giants🦍 What animals would you like to see on safari? #SkyMobile #OfficialSponsor #ThisMorning https://t.co/t9bCFYdh6p — Sky (@SkyUK) February 26, 2021 Sky UK says 'we're going bananas for the gorgeous gentle giants', but I couldn't see a single banana anywhere in sight!   "Yes! We Have No Bananas" (25/02/21) I do love a topical song and in this case Billy Jones sings: "Yes! We Have No Bananas." Recorded in 1922 but still relevant in Scotland today.   More Bananas (25/02/21) More banana related stories - which reminds me I must share my recipe on the blog!         My Mum's Banana Loaf (14/01/21) Another Banana and Blueberry loaf hot out of the oven. I'm getting quite good at this - recipe to follow.         Banana and Blueberry Bread (20/11/20) Here's my latest effort at making my Mum's Banana Bread which is more of a moist cake really, especially as this one has some blueberrie...