The First Minister said that the Prime Minister's decision to block a new vote was 'a sign of weakness' as she continued to build her case the break up the UK.

The threat to the union has been underlined by research showing voters north of the border are divided 50-50 on the issue of independence.

Research by Panelbase suggests that a narrow majority would vote to break up the UK if Nicola Sturgeon gets her way over holding a fresh referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon is alleged to have issued the edict after concerns were raised at staff meetings about Derek Mackay's behaviour.

Kate Forbes only found out that she would announce the Scottish Government's spending pledges for the coming year at around 8am today - just after Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace.

Salmond faces 14 charges of alleged offences against 10 women, all of which he denies.

Alex Salmond is tipped to make a dramatic SNP leadership comeback bid after he was cleared of sex assault charges this week. He could be deputy to MP Joanna Cherry, who led a bid to block Brexit last year.

Alex Wilson had his account targeted by his devastated wife Pamela, who said he had left her to be with fellow SNP councillor Mandy Morgan. Pictured: Mr and Mrs Wilson.

Hosts on Airbnb have been flouting the coronavirus lockdown rules by advertising their properties as 'Covid-19 retreats' on the popular rental website.

Nicola Sturgeon today made clear she is willing to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Scotland at a different rate to the rest of the UK.

MSP for Renfrewshire North and West Derek Mackay is entitled to a =n automatic severance payment of £11,945 for losing ministerial office.

Cristiano Ronaldo took his goal-scoring career tally to an incredible 700 after netting in Portugal's 2-1 defeat against Ukraine. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner confidently slotted away a penalty.

EXCLUSIVE: The PFA have been accused of ignoring requests for help from lower league players allegedly cheated out of their life savings by former Wales international David Cotterill.

Gareth Bale believes Wales reaching the European Championship next summer could trump the achievement of playing at Euro 2016. Wales ended a 58-year wait in 2016.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN CARDIFF: If Giggs guides his team to victory over Hungary in the winner-takes-all clash and secures a place at Euro 2020, it will be a significant achievement.

Since the shambolic viewings four years ago, England have started to assemble a side capable of going all the way and Southgate deserves credit for putting faith in the next generation.

The singer, 41, broke down after watching Kelli Marie's rendition of an original song about feeling alone, and tearfully vowed that the teen 'wasn't alone anymore.'

They've been romantically linked, despite Nicole Scherzinger saying she is too busy to be tied down with a relationship. 

Viewers weren't impressed as the singer decided to turn Robbie's performance of The Pussycat Dolls' hit Don't Cha into a duet, especially when she sent the Irish singer home later in the show.

The Pussycat Dolls star, 41, ensured she had all eyes on her during the X Factor: The Band's live grand final on Sunday as she put on a very busty display in a plunging black gown.

The X Factor judge, 41, opted for a glamorous look as she donned a chic red fur coat, which no doubt kept the chill off in the chilly climes.

JAN MOIR: Oh my friends, it's been a long, hard year. Brexit, a General Election, Cats the movie, Prince Andrew, Greggs vegan sausage rolls, and the celebrity version of The X Factor.

The Love Island personality, 23, reflected on a tumultuous 2019 in an impassioned Instagram post on New Year's Day.

The Pussycat Dolls star, 41, looked incredible in a one-shouldered pink gown as she oozed elegance while her dashing beau swapped The X Factor

Alongside the video, Nicole wrote: 'Definitely didn't learn this choreography over the Christmas break from my 9yr old niece's TikTok.'

The Take That star (pictured with his wife Dawn) lodged plans to demolish a section of his five-bed Cotswolds home in Alvescot, Oxfordshire, four months ago.

Phillip Blackwell has been accused of a series of sex offences which reportedly took place in Nuneaton and Birmingham and involved five alleged victims.

The-31-year-old exuded glamour when she stepped out on Sunday night to attend a BAFTA's afterparty.

The dancer, 38,has hit back at the hundreds of Ofcom complaints the Pussycat Dolls have sparked over their raunchy performances during ITV family shows.

The former rugby star made the rare public declaration for his X Factor judge other half on Instagram Stories and said that she inspires him everyday.

The singer, 31, was one of the stars set to perform at the service on Monday alongside fellow hitmaker Craig David.

Speaking to her fans on her YouTube channel on Wednesday, the singer, 25, admitted that 'loneliness' during her teen years made her 'go off the rails.'

The X Factor star, 32, took to Instagram on Friday to share a heartbreaking tribute to her dad as she vowed to continue to make him proud.

Colourist Natalia Maxwell, artistic director at Malcolm Murphy Hair, says people should look to other products while self-isolating, saying they'll cover roots just as well and won't damage hair.

The X Factor winner, 32, revealed he's 'so happy hats were invented' as he shaved his head and donated £5k to the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The singer, 26, sizzled in the music video for her latest single called Lost which was released on Friday.

British dressmaker Angela Kelly, who has worked with the Queen for 25 years, revealed the monarch is just like the rest of us when it comes to getting her money's worth.

Australian parents have been warned by child safety experts to monitor children who use the app 'Likee'.

Make these tasty Singapore noodles with this recipe from the Hairy Bikers' new cookbook. It is Dave's go-to dish in Chinese restaurants, and surprisingly is not well known in Singapore.

An Australian couple have called for airlines to manage food allergies better after they were escorted off a Qantas plane over a chicken dinner. 

The two men, Captain John Ritchie and Captain James Grant, were stationed in Singapore as part of the Scottish Highlanders.

Rosie from Singapore edited the captions of several old Instagram photos with old flames to portray what was really happening behind the scenes with those guys.

Sir James Dyson announced the move to Singapore in January, prompting claims of 'staggering hypocrisy' against the billionaire who backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum.

The Singapore-based budget carrier has launched its 'Silly Season Sale' to mark the start of 2020 with international flights from Australia from as little as $135

The NSW RFS Hawkesbury District announced that firefighters have managed to control the blaze which had been burning for nearly three months.

Vincent and Jane Hee will also be chauffeured around in a Rolls-Royce, receive a rose-gold platinum ring set with a rare 2.08-carat diamond and spend the night at the Raffles Singapore hotel.

Paul Leslie Quirk, 48, was charged with murder after his wife Christina Khoo Gek Hwa, 43, was found dead in a third floor condo in the residential estate of Compassvale Bow earlier this month.

A Chinese man diagnosed in Queensland with coronavirus also spent time in Melbourne, and four fellow travellers are now ill and being tested for the disease.

Hey Dad! star Sarah Monahan has claimed disgraced reporter Ben McCormack may have became a paedophile after covering her child sex abuse case.

Switzerland (pictured: the old town of Zurich) was ranked first in a study of 132 nations which measured the cost of goods including groceries, clothes and taxi fares.