Scotsman

Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen has said he wanted a "fundamental" change in approach to how failed asylum seekers are dealt with...

But Scottish Socialist leader Colin Fox said: "It has been six weeks since the First Minister first flagged up this prospect and raised false and ultimately cruel hopes for one community in Drumchapel.

"Any protocol won't make a blind bit of difference to an asylum policy which sees 13-year-old girls dragged from their beds in the dead of night in their pyjamas and sees 15-year-olds handcuffed and slammed into the back of a waiting van."

BBC NEWS: "Independent MSPs and smaller parties are claiming the Scottish Parliament's Corporate Body (SPCB) is trying to make it harder for them to present bills.

The SPCB, which boasts representatives from the four main parties, wants to tighten the rules on independent legislation.

Critics said the plans were designed to prevent minority parties from presenting bills of any significance.

But the SPCB said limits on independent bills amounted to good housekeeping.

Independent legislation has brought about a ban on dog fouling, and could bring the abolition of prescription charges."

The Observer

When he returns from his holiday on Wednesday, McLetchie will face four probes into his travel expenses. The Scottish Socialist Party leader has written to Standards Commissioner Jim Dyer and the Electoral Commission urging them to investigate the use of the Tory leader's former legal offices for political work.

Mike Dailly of the Govan Law Centre has also asked Audit Scotland to pore over his taxi claims, and said he will contact the police if no inquiries are made.

It was reported yesterday that Lothian and Borders police have begun inquiries into claims that McLetchie used public funds for non-parliamentary business.

A spokeswoman confirmed that a letter of complaint had been received and officers were looking into the matter.