therefore, whichever way i looked at it, the bute house agreement was going to come to an end in anying the agreement, to me, was the right thing to do for the party and the country but i accept fully the manner in which it was done clearly caused upset and i have paid the price for that. you alluded to something that i think is really important, this idea that perhaps the greens had, for you, gone too far on the gender issue in terms of moving away from the science in terms of criticising the cass review? i made clear my position on the cass review but those comments made by patrick harvie did upset a lot of people in my group. equally, patrick is entitled to his view. the key thing is, was that a factor in your decision, their movement on that issue? not necessarily. i think the bute house agreement, the fact the greens were putting it to their members, to me, however i looked at it, in the coming days, weeks or mohts, the bute house agreement was going to come to an end. i wanted to make sure that we were the ones who were able to say, i think it's time part ways and i do not regr

therefore, whichever way i looked at it, the bute house agreement was going to come to an end in anynding the agreement, to me, was the right thing to do for the party and the country but i accept fully the manner in which it was done clearly caused upset and i have paid the price for that. you alluded to something that i think is really important, this idea that perhaps the greens had, for you, gone too far on the gender issue in terms of moving away from the science, in terms of criticising the cass review? i made very clear what my position, the government's position was on the cass review, but those comments made by patrick harvie did upset a lot of people in my group. equally, patrick is entitled to his view. the key thing is, was that a factor in your decision, their movement on that issue? not necessarily. i think for me the bute house agreement, the fact the greens were putting it to their members, to me, however i looked at it, in the coming days, weeks or months, the bute house agreement was going to come to an end. i wanted to make sure that we were the ones who were able

well, for me, the bute house agreement was coming to an end anyway.arted with the greens, for example, going to be putting that to its membership. it was votes of no confidence coming up. it was going to be a party over gender. patrick harvie, as you say, and therefore, in my mind, whichever way i looked at it, whether it was a matter of days or it was a matter of weeks, the bute house agreement was going to come to an end. so that's why i see, as i have said from the beginning, the ending the bute house agreement to me was the right thing to do for the party in the country that i lead. but i accept fully the manner in which it was done clearly caused upset, and therefore i've paid the price of that. he also talked about his concern. he said that political debates were routinely descending into what he called a toxic cultural war, would he endorse any of the potential candidates to replace him, the former deputy leaderjohn swinney or former deputy leaderjohn swinney or former finance minister kate fords, but at the moment, neither of them have actuall

mr swinney is making cabinet appointment at his official residence, bute house, after being sworn inre's that moment. you swear that you will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his majesty king charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. will you now sign the parchments? 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon is in edinburgh. hi, so appointments being made. yes, for the last hour _ hi, so appointments being made. yes, for the last hour or _ hi, so appointments being made. yes, for the last hour or so _ hi, so appointments being made. 133 for the last hour or so we have seen various members of the scottish government enter the doors of the bute house that you see behind me and first amongst those to enter was kate forbes john and first amongst those to enter was kate forbesjohn swinney had made clear that his party is not as united as he would like it to be an kate forbes was, at one point seen as his main rivalfor thejob last week she decided to step aside and said he would give her a significant role in government and he has delivered, appointing her as deputy first m

look, i have made it clear that ending the bute house | it clear that ending the bute house agreementyou to — you must be gutted, though? in one sense you to maximise _ you must be gutted, though? in one sense you to maximise your - you must be gutted, though? in one sense you to maximise your time i you must be gutted, though? in one sense you to maximise your time in | sense you to maximise your time in office will come to an end. would have liked a different ending? of course. but having it led to my country and serve my country — i�*ve been a government minister for almost 12 years — has been the greatest privilege of my life she she. 9 9, greatest privilege of my life she she. 9 ., . ., ,., greatest privilege of my life she she. 9 9, 9 9, :, she. what change, you went from disagreement _ she. what change, you went from disagreement with _ she. what change, you went from disagreement with the _ she. what change, you went from disagreement with the greens... l she. what change, you went from - disagreement with the greens... what specifically change? for disagreement with the green

a bute house of that green. a bute house agreement which humza yousaf torpedoed , late last week.t ash regan, scotland's only alba msp. well, she voted to have no confidence in the government, which certainly was a turn up for the books. if you were following events, you know, over the weekend as to who would support the government or not, but as i kind of mentioned yesterday, it all feels somewhat of a distraction while we wait for news of humza yousafs potential replacement, news of humza yousafs potential replacement , it's. news of humza yousafs potential replacement, it's. and i've news of humza yousafs potential replacement , it's. and i've got replacement, it's. and i've got good news for you both this morning. it looks like we're actually going to get the first announcement this morning. john swinney, obviously he was nicola sturgeon's deputy first minister. will just one of the buildings behind me here in grassmarket in edinburgh, he is going to be having an event at around half past ten this morning and we are likely in the press link up here to hear him make his pitch t

ending the bute house agreement was the right decision both for my party and my country. yourself? i do of course reflect a lot, and i do regret how this has ended. so does he wantjohn swinney to take over? good morning. or should it be kate forbes, who ran humza yousaf close in an acrimonious leadership contest just last year? he won't say. whatever happens, if it is a contest, my plea as to any candidate to make sure we are talking each other up not talking each other down, because the only people who benefit from that are our opponents. unlike last time. that's a dig at kate forbes? no, it's not, because i've got to play my role and that as well so i am self—reflecting on the fact that i was involved in that campaign. is there something wrong with politics in this country now, and do you share some responsibility for that? the fact that almost every discussion and debate descends into a toxic culture war is really regressive for our politics. i'm not saying that we should all agree on everything, i'm perfectly fine, that's the whole point of our politics is to debate.

the formalities over, the focus has now shifted here to bute house, the official residence of the firstis cabinet. the big change — last year's snp leadership contender kate forbes is back in government. it is an enormous privilege and i look forward to supporting the first minister as he pursues the priorities of the scottish people — eradicating poverty, ensuring economic growth and ultimately uniting the country behind the great opportunities of our day. the top two have changed but the rest of the team remains the same. the snp hope that will be enough to revive their flagging fortunes. james cook, bbc news, edinburgh. in wales, plans for the senedd to have more politicians and a new voting system from 2026 have cleared their final hurdle. members voted to increase their numbers from 60 to 96 from the next election. supporters insist more members are needed to scrutinise the law—making process and the policies of welsh ministers. but the conservatives argue that the extra spending involved should go on schools and hospitals. campaigners who've been calling for better protections for

ending the bute house agreement was the right decision both for my party and my country. i do of course reflect a lot and i do regret how this has ended. so does he wantjohn swinney to take over? or should it be kate forbes, who ran humza yousaf close in an acrimonious leadership contestjust last year? he won't say. whatever happens, if it is a contest, my plea as to any candidate to make sure we are talking each other up, not talking each other down because we won't be able to benefit from that. unlike last time. that's a dig at kate forbes? no, it's not, because i've got to play my role and that as well so i am self reflecting on the fact that i was involved in that campaign. is there something wrong with politics in this country now and do you share some responsibility for that? the fact that almost every discussion and debate descends into a toxic culture war is really regressive for our politics. i'm not saying we should all agree on everything, i'm perfectly fine, that's the whole point of our politics is to debate. and by the way, to debate quite robustly. no party

within that space of time he obviously worked very closely with the greens, including when the bute housee, so there is obviously that relationship. i think the consensus is that he should get that backing. what about the public support? let's look ahead to the general election coming along and perhaps the threat from labour. in terms of policies that may get voters fired up, what do you reckon they're? the that may get voters fired up, what do you reckon they're?— do you reckon they're? the one oli do you reckon they're? the one policy when _ do you reckon they're? the one policy when asked _ do you reckon they're? the one policy when asked by _ do you reckon they're? the one | policy when asked by journalists policy when asked byjournalists thatjohn swinney really wanted to put forward was child poverty. that is obviously a platform that the snp have always put forward. 0bviously, independence is a front and centre. 0ne independence is a front and centre. one thing have seen from the snp when they have done will electrically is the pru independence vote tripped up when i spoke to humza

tony mcguire live there from bute house in edinburgh.a ticket of one and rewarded his main opponents, kate forbes, the deputy leader's job. so no conflict now coming up. good news pubs in england and wales can stay open for two more hours this summer, with the small caveat being that it's only if england or scotland reach the semi—finals or the final of the euros. fat chance of that. perhaps well, i martin daubney on gb welcome back. it's approaching 347. i'm martin daubney, and this is gb news. now, if it comes home, will you be staying out longer ? well, be staying out longer? well, pubs will be allowed to extend their opening hours to 1 am. if england or scotland make it to the semi—finals of the european 2024 championships, the government has announced well, venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or even the final, so fans can celebrate or drown their sorrows well. i'm joined now by gb news security editor mark white. mark, great news for football fans, so

the formalities over, the focus has now shifted here to bute house, the official residence of the firstfirst minister is back in government. it is an enormous privilege and i look forward to supporting the first minister as he pursues the priorities of the scottish people — eradicating poverty, ensuring economic growth and ultimately uniting the country behind the great opportunities of our day. it all brings back memories for this man, labour's jack mcconnell, now in the house of lords. so, what advice does the third first minister have for the seventh? i think we need to give him the benefit of a fresh start, and i think people should be willing to work with him, but he needs to give a clear indication that he is willing to notjust talk about working with other people but to be open to new ideas, open to cross—party work, open to cross—government work with other parts of the uk. cameras click. first minister and prime minister spoke by telephone this afternoon, with both promising to be constructive. james cook, bbc news, a 97—year—old woman from lincolnshire has finally been recognis

heavily on his experience in - heavily on his experience in government in his bid to win the keys to bute houseough the timetable of what happens next, potentially. denominations to become leader of the snp close at midday on monday. that's when we'll find out for sure whether it's a competition or not. but at the moment, judging byjohn swinney�*s assured campaign launched this morning, many think it may well be a coronation. he was frank about the challenges his party faces, but he was confident that he is the man to deal with them. he was very honest, that he needs, should he win, to bring his party together. he said it would focus on big policies, like housing, education, transport and health, should he win. of course the other name in the frame is kate forbes. she, herallies, are saying she was watching that leadership launch with interest this morning, but she would need a big job to get on board but thatjohn swinney and kate forbes are down the corridor from each other and have been having lots of chats and we expect an announcement from her team this afternoon. , ., afternoon. right, we

minister of scotland and deputy first minister kate forbes took questions from reporters outside bute houseam that focuses on the snp. anchored in the centreleft of scottish politics, focused on the eradication of child poverty and growing the a scottish economy to ensure we can create opportunity for all, and i look forward to working with all my colleagues in bringing forward that agenda. what i would say is we've assembled the team to focus on the priorities of the people of scotland, and i think we'll be very successful in doing that. you scotland, and i think we'll be very successful in doing that.— successful in doing that. you said ou would successful in doing that. you said you would be _ successful in doing that. you said you would be a — successful in doing that. you said you would be a government - successful in doing that. you said you would be a government of. successful in doing that. you said| you would be a government of the centreleft. — you would be a government of the centreleft, what _ you would be a government of the centreleft, what do _ you would be a government of th

the formalities over, the focus has now shifted here to bute house, the official residence of the firstinister, wherejohn swinney is appointing his cabinet. the big change — last year's snp leadership contender kate forbes is back in government as deputy first minister is back in government. it is an enormous privilege and i look forward to supporting the first minister as he pursues the priorities of the scottish people — eradicating poverty, ensuring economic growth and ultimately uniting the country behind the great opportunities of our day. it all brings back memories for this man, labour's jack mcconnell, now in the house of lords. so, what advice does the third first minister have for the seventh? i think we need to give him the benefit of a fresh start, and i think people should be willing to work with him, but he needs to give a clear indication that he is willing to notjust talk about working with other people but to be open to new ideas, open to cross—party work, open to cross—government work with other parts of the uk. cameras click. first minister and prime minister spoke by

i said there will be no return to the bute house agreement.terrible price in scotland, because of the cost—of—living crisis and the the tory brexit. both are impoepzed by westminster and a government we never voted for that is imposing damage on people in scotland and i want people in scotland to have confidence in independence. just to be clear, i wasn't suggesting they would be a new arrangement. you are going to govern as a minority government? that arrangement. you are going to govern as a minority government?— as a minority government? that is correct. as a minority government? that is correct- we _ as a minority government? that is correct. we will _ as a minority government? that is correct. we will have _ as a minority government? that is correct. we will have to _ as a minority government? that is correct. we will have to find - as a minority government? that is correct. we will have to find on i as a minority government? that is correct. we will have to find on an j correct. we will have to find on an issue by issue basis agreement w

i don't intend to return to a bute house agreement, i don't intend to return to the of fixed arrangementst and it is important we find common cause on the issues that matter. i've seen some commentary about the political position of the government. last week i set out that i will lead a government from the centre—left position in scottish politics, the moderate centre a lift. that is where i come from, thatis lift. that is where i come from, that is what my policy two party's policy base is. that is what my policy two party's policy base is— policy base is. you have spoken about how _ policy base is. you have spoken about how you _ policy base is. you have spoken about how you want _ policy base is. you have spoken about how you want to - policy base is. you have spoken about how you want to convince policy base is. you have spoken - about how you want to convince more people _ about how you want to convince more people to _ about how you want to convince more people to support _ about how you want to convince more people to support independence. - about how you want to convince more peop

. >> well, let's cross over to bute house in edinburgh, the official residence of the first minister,scotland. reporter tony maguire. tony, a lot of people have been speculating over what deal backroom deal had been cooked up between kate forbes and john swinney to make there not be a contest . well, now we know . contest. well, now we know. >> indeed. yes, certainly. kate forbes arrived here a little while ago. a bit of a spring in her step, it has to be said, and she went in and obviously quizzed, as they always are, by the press pack outside about what jobs she wanted and she knew. i think by that point she may have known and she certainly teased that she we would, we would wait and see and find out soon enough. and sure enough, within the hour we have this statement now, john swinney, of course , kate forbes being, you course, kate forbes being, you know , standing down last know, standing down last thursday and essentially listening hard to what john swinney had to say and his speech as he launched his campaign, you know, clearly they've had conversations . and they've had conver

he was he very much believed in everything associated with it, had prayers at bute house.someone from the christian evangelical community is going to come along all of a sudden, where are we going ? where are we going? >> there is a curious antipathy, particularly in the media, towards christian evangelicals. talk to people on the streets, you know, ordinary people, and they have often very admiring of those who have strong beliefs graciously communicated, of course, but know what they think. stand by these values , think. stand by these values, are not afraid to talk about them. but yet, actually, once you get into the media, you then hit this kind of glass ceiling of criticism, of snyder comments. and it's very, very difficult for a christian with conservative, small c conservative, small c conservative social and theological values to actually get the same sort of attention in the states . it would be taken in the states. it would be taken almost as a given. you'd have to have a degree of that in this country. there's a lot of criticism of people like that, but it tends

house? >> ditching the press and sneaking into her houseer dr after dark one on one, the moste powerful man in the world. that's a problem. but this a bute white house hasr story. >> why did president bidene have a private meeting with a witness who plans to testify in courtvate the against his so? president biden was at her house this week. >> i think the american people should also be told the fullk. breadth of this.eadt he visited her a days before the anniversary of the passingng of his son. and she is family. sh n and e was married, obviously, to his late son. >> and i think that is something also to mention, as you're asking your question to me. >> stion ao they did not talkdi about her testimony. >> this was not about thatno. but we couldn't find any evidence of biden ever visiting haley at her home. and we've never seen haley at the whiteof house, not at the july 4th barbecues, not at the easter egg rollse.. >> never. and how does binder know they didn't talk about her never testimony. she wasn't there. and that's the point. she one was. it's like when bill clinton l talkedik to lynch aloneo he on the tarmac while she was investi

and, obviously the greens are no longer part of the bute house agreement., it'll give john swinney an opportunity to row back. that's, that's the sort of optimistic , optimistic sort of optimistic, optimistic assessment. there are certainly people within the snp who are not very happy about the direction of travel, that was going on beforehand . but, yeah, going on beforehand. but, yeah, i think i think there will still be people who are going to be, throwing their toys out of the pram , at the prospect. pram, at the prospect. >> so let's just, let's just remind people watching and listening, downing street stepped stepped in for the first time since devolution to veto hollywood's gender recognition reform bill. >> that veto was upheld by scotland's court. just remind people exactly what the snp government was trying to enable young people to do, often without the parental consent . without the parental consent. >> so there's been a bit of a suite of, of bills that have been hugely problematic. but the gra bill, which, as you say, was blocked by the section

and now that was one of two last week we saw just after humza yousaf effectively torpedoed the bute houseurning the snp into minority government. douglas ross, leader of the scottish conservatives. he lodged his no confidence vote in humza yousaf, now douglas ross. he withdrew that yesterday, but scottish labour leader anas sarwar well, he maintains his as late as yesterday that he still has no confidence in this government, but one of the key factors here is whether the greens and indeed albas msp, ash regan, whether they will vote with the government not just to retain a pro—independence government up here in scotland for, let's say, two more years until the scheduled scottish elections in 2026. now, i asked anas sarwar yesterday how much of this he had been thinking aboutin of this he had been thinking about in the lead up to today's crucial vote. well of course, for other political parties to decide how they vote on any motion. >> but it's for the greens and the alba msp to decide. is it more important to them keeping a nationalist pro—independence government in place, even though the

thing to joseph humza yousaf, who is a muslim and who's unashamed about it and held prayers in bute houseiefs. and yet, kate forbes wasn't and it seems like the same kind of thing here is being applied to david campanale . you know, once david campanale. you know, once people discovered he actually has christian beliefs and stuff , has christian beliefs and stuff, there are other christians in there are other christians in the party. you know, tim farron, you've mentioned , various others you've mentioned, various others across the party. you know, charles kennedy is a churchgoing christian as well. right? so, you know, why are they picking on him? it seems like the local party, rather the national party and national leaders from across the party have written to the equalities and human rights commission saying, this looks like discrimination to us on the bafis like discrimination to us on the basis of a protected characteristic, which is a religious belief. characteristic, which is a religious belief . and this religious belief. and this political party is discriminating against this chri