The Herald

Revealed: Scots Link in Dollars3m Lockerbie Pay-Out Police Called for Witness Reward

SCOTTISH police officers took an active role in seeking a dollars3mplus reward for a key witness in the Lockerbie bombing trial and his brother, previously secret papers revealed yesterday. The documents, which were never disclosed to defence lawyers working for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, also point to another potentially important eye witness whose evidence was never followed up by detectives.

Fury Over School Catchment Plan Exclusive

HUNDREDS of families caught up in a wrangle over entry to a flagship school in Scotland's bestperforming education authority will be denied future access under controversial new proposals. If East Renfrewshire Council presses ahead with the plans - which are set to go out to consultation - it would see parents from housing developments on the outskirts of Glasgow permanently excluded from the school's catchment area from next year.

Council in Warning On 'Damaging' Approaches to Developers Exclusive

EVERY elected member in Scotland's largest authority has been warned by senior officials not to approach developers because it is "inappropriate and potentially damaging", after it emerged companies had complained of "direct approaches" from councillors. Glasgow City Council's head of development has now advised councillors not to meet with developers unless accompanied by a council officer, while other members fearful of allegations of corruption dogging the authority have described the ap...

Is This Man Key to Lockerbie . . . Or Was He Just After the Cash? Website Casts Doubt On Gauci Evidence

HE WAS supposed to be the key figure in solving the biggest terrorist atrocity mainland Britain has ever suffered. Tony Gauci, a Maltese shopkeeper, became the Crown's key witness in the conviction of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, and was the one man who linked the suspect to clothes found in the suitcase that harboured the bomb.

Channels Plan Party Leaders' Tv Showdown

THE prospect of televised political debates between the UK party leaders came closer last night as the BBC, ITV and Sky wrote to the three main party leaders to propose a series of clashes in the next General Election campaign. In a joint statement, the broadcasters offered to stage three debates involving Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

Scotsman Closes Capital Printing Site

THE Scotsman newspaper is to be printed outside the capital for the first time in its 190-year history. Owner Johnston Press, which also publishes Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News, plans to close the company's printing plant in Edinburgh, with the loss of 100 jobs. The move would see its titles printed at centres owned by News International and Trinity Mirror in the west coast of Scotland.

Dancing at the Copacabana As Rio Wins Olympic Race

THE party is likely to continue today in Rio de Janeiro after the city succeeded in bringing the world's biggest sporting event to South America for the first time. The city's famous Copacabana beach erupted in Samba dancing and joy after the Brazilian city won the right to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

Cream Tents, Giant Peas . . . And a Plan to 'Subvert Kelvingrove' Museum to Host Weird World of David Shrigley As Part of Major Festival of Art Museum to Host Weird World of David Shrigley As Part of Major Festival of Art Exclusive

IT WILL be the Kelvingrove Gallery, but not as we know it. Alongside the old masters, Renaissance classics and works of the Glasgow Boys there may be something a ittle weirder next summer. For the first time, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is to be part of the Glasgow International (Gi) festival of contemporary art . Scattered among the bestloved exhibits, there will be "subversive" work from David Shrigley, one of the UK's most popular modern artists.

Keegan Awarded Gbp2m in Constructive Dismissal Case

FORMER Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has been awarded GBP2m in damages from his old club after winning his case for constructive dismissal. An independent panel ruled that Keegan's decision to quit last year was a valid response to his bosses' bid to sign a player against his wishes.

Scots Private Schools Hold Firm Despite Recession

THE number of pupils attending private schools in Scotland is holding firm, despite rising fees and fears over the impact of the recession, new figures show. Although independent pupil numbers fell slightly between 2008-09 and 2009-10 - from 31,840 to 31,713 - the fall of 0.4per cent is not considered statistically significant.

Aspiring Families' Vent Anger As Hopes for Better Schooling Dashed New Homes Excluded From Council Catchment New Homes Excluded From Council Catchment Exclusive

WHEN new homes were built in the leafy suburbs surrounding Scotland's largest city, families were attracted to buy for many reasons, including escape from the city and the prospect of a garden. However, one of the key factors why parents were prepared to purchase houses in new developments was because they thought they were guaranteeing entry to the local school.

Fox: The Uk Must Win in Afghanistan in an Exclusive Interview, the Scot Who May Be Britain's Next Defence Secretary Sets His Sights On Victory

LOSING in Afghanistan "cannot be an option", Liam Fox will insist today, suggesting that defeat could lead to an even bigger threat to Britain's security with an unstable and nuclear-armed Pakistan. In a few months' time, the softly spoken Scot could be Britain's new defence secretary, having to solve the conundrum of where to cut the defence budget while maintaining adequate security and planning how to achieve victory - or perhaps avoid defeat - in Afghanistan.

Concessions Expected to Swing the Vote As Ireland Goes to Polls . . . Again

IRELAND went to the polls in the crucial Lisbon Treaty referendum re-run yesterday, which will have far-reaching implications for the future of the European Union and British politics. The country's three million voters were deciding on the Lisbon Treaty, which, if accepted, would lead to the introduction of a long- term president and a stronger foreign policy chief for the EU's near half-a-billion citizens.

Leaders Warned of Ageing Challenge

FINDING answers to the challenge of Scotland's increasing population of older people must be more of a priority, the Scottish Government was warned yesterday. David Manion, chief executive of Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland, was speaking as 300 people met for the first Older People's Assembly in the Scottish Parliament.

Gray Hails 'Superb' Labour Win

LABOUR has become the biggest party on East Ayrshire council after winning a by-election in Doon Valley. Moira Pirie, the successful candidate, took more than 50per cent of the vote. Labour now has 15 councillors and the SNP 14. The SNP remains in control of the administration because of an informal alliance with the council's three Conservatives.

Mind the Doors . . . Union in Dispute Over Rail Serv Ice Strike Action 'a Possibility' Over Driver-Only Operation Strike Action 'a Possibility' Over Driver-Only Operation Exclusive

SCOTRAIL is facing a dispute with the RMT rail union over who opens and shuts doors on a new Glasgow to Edinburgh service due to open next year. The union's assistant general-secretary, Pat Sikorski, is due to visit Scotland for a four-day tour next week to drum up opposition among its members to "driver-only operations", claiming that not having a guard on board is unsafe and an attack on staff terms and conditions.

Crackdown On Cannabis Finds Average of Two Farms a Week Strathclyde Is the Worst 'Pot Hotspot'

SCOTTISH police are finding an average of two cannabis farms every week as part of a major crackdown on gangs. Officers have seized drugs worth GBP14.8m from 111 locations in the past year, with indoor plantations found in every force area across the country.

Greater Protection for Family Homes in New Bill

HOMEOWNERS faced with repossession will be given greater protection under legislation set out yesterday by the Scottish Government. The Home Owner and Debtor Protection Bill will make it more difficult for family homes to be seized when their owners fall into debt.

Msps Back City to Follow Mobos with Other Music Award Shows

GLASGOW'S bid for Brit Awards glory has received the backing of some Labour MSPs. Holyrood heard this week that the Mobo awards were a sellout success on Wednesday night and Pauline McNeill MSP called on ministers to help bring other star-studded events to the city in future.

Art Show Aims to Help Abused Staff

AN ART exhibition is being held in Glasgow to raise cash for victims of retail crime. More than 300 paintings by local, national and international artists will be on show in Pollokshields Burgh Halls this weekend.