Professor June Andrews, a former Scottish government official, admitted the comments sounded 'horrific' but said they gave an honest assessment of the impacts of a Covid-19 pandemic.

Peston, the BBC's Economics Editor in 2014 when Scotland held its referendum, claimed his report on the vote's economic implications was ditched minutes before it was due to be broadcast.

It comes after it was revealed today that Prince Charles has the coronavirus and may have been contagious just 24 hours after last seeing the Queen.

It comes after the UK yesterday posted 43 coronavirus deaths, sparking hope that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's unprecedented lockdown was working to control the ever-worsening crisis.

A total of 1,408 people in Britain have died from coronavirus. England recorded 159 new deaths in the last 24 hours, while Wales reported 14, Scotland six and Northern Ireland one.

Statistics published by the Department of Health reveal a record high number of victims for the second day in a row and more than 4,000 people have been diagnosed in a single day.

Twenty-eight more patients died overnight in England. Six more patients died in Scotland, five in Wales and four in Northern Ireland.

England recorded 866 new deaths, while the other 87 were confirmed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The treatment of the Fred Olsen employees is being managed on board the 28,600-tonne vessel Black Watch in the Firth of Forth and there are no plans for anyone to disembark.

A number of offenders in Scotland charged with knife offences and violent assaults have been bailed to appear in court several months down the line - when they normally would be dealt with the next day.

The sharp fall adds to growing evidence that the peak of the UK's epidemic has blown over and that efforts now must be concentrated on stopping the spread of the virus surging to a second peak.

Data from the Office for National Statistics, which includes deaths which happen in care homes, shows 13,000 people had died by April 10 but the Government had only announced 9,000 by then.

Nicola Sturgeon today signalled she is willing to ease coronavirus restrictions in Scotland independently of the UK government as Northern Ireland also appeared set to follow suit.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock today refused to bow to growing political pressure to set out how the UK government will ease the coronavirus lockdown.

The UK Government's team of top scientists believe there is no way for stylists to cut people's hair without risking spreading the virus.

Barry Smith, 26, helped to stab Reamonn Gormley, 19, in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, in 2011. He said in his Plenty of Fish profile that an ideal first date would involve 'eating **** and kicking a**'.

There may not have been much to smile about in the last few years of her marriage, but it's true to say Bake Off star Paul Hollywood's long-suffering ex Alex most definitely has the last laugh now.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have just reached a landmark 10 million followers on their account. Harry and Meghan are on 9.4 million followers, despite only launching in April this year.

ALISON BOSHOFF: From the moment he sprung on to the Strictly dancefloor in September to perform a sizzling, hip-swinging samba, Kelvin Fletcher has been the dancer to watch on Saturday nights.

From tender looks to stony silences, viewers agreed that, as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, Claire Foy and Matt Smith were a convincing couple.

Robbie Williams left Take That in 1995 but jumped back into making music after a two-year hiatus. The album went platinum eight times in Britain and had more than two million sales.

Tonight Anton has perhaps his best shot at the Glitterball trophy for years, with Emma Barton as his partner. ALISON BOSHOFF trots through the history of Du Beke's Desperate Dance Divas ...

ALISON BOSHOFF: Fern Britton, 62, remains greatly loved as a reassuringly 'safe', mumsy figure. At the centre of her life was her marriage to Phil Vickery. The couple married in High Wycombe in May 2000.

ALISON BOSHOFF: Friends say that Georgina Chapman, 43, 'does not want to be seen as a victim'. That right she reserves for others.

ALISON BOSHOFF: When they got engaged in September, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi released a sweet, starry-eyed statement: 'We can't wait to actually be married.'

ALISON BOSHOFF: Ant McPartlin has opted to dissolve his company Teecourt. Ant, who lives in South West London applied to Companies House last month to have the company struck off.

ALISON BOSHOFF: With Prince Charles not asking for help from the Government's coronavirus furlough scheme - but Victoria Beckham among those taking it - it's sparking furious debate.

Friends say it's just that Simon 'can't bear' the idea of matrimony, monogamy or losing his freedom. This is no secret. But why is the X Factor judge so scared to become Lauren Silverman's husband?

Josh Duhamel didn't just kick off the Kids Choice Awards with a bang, but also with a lovely baby bump. Imitating his pregnant wife Fergie, the host of Saturday's Nickelodeon awards show revealed his sweet dancing skills for a comedic opening skit.

The 27-year-old Glee star hit the special orange carpet at the University of Southern California's Galen Center in a flirty peach dress which flattered her toned figure although she did have a Marilyn Monroe moment when her skirt blew showing off more of her legs

The curly-haired 21-year-old accepted the honor in a yellow-trimmed kimono top and matching shorts which featured a b&w painting

The 28-year-old actress inevitably got slimed while presenting on stage alongside Pharrell Williams.

David Hasselhoff prides himself on his youthfulness, which he puts down to healthy eating and regular exercise.

She's famously known for her vintage-style fashion, her impressive vocal range, and her acting work.

She wore a uniform of unflattering cardigans and vests as a geeky personal assistant on Ugly Betty, but America Ferrera was anything but frumpy at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on Saturday.

Eva Longoria was asking to get slimed at the Nickeloden Kids Choice Awards on Saturday.

She was nominated for the coveted Favorite TV Actress at the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards.

Goldenballs was dripping in golden goo after he was slimed at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday

It's a show notorious for covering its attendees in green slime, and the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards are taking place next month with a few Australians and New Zealanders up for awards.

They're two of our biggest musical exports and Iggy Azalea and 5 Seconds Of Summer are set to take to the stage and perform at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles later this month.

It may be an occasion where several stars get slimed, but that wasn't about to stop the two actresses from sporting their best looks.

The 26-year-old was presented with the blimp gong by none other than Disney star Zendaya and Hollywood heavyweight Jamie Foxx.

The 33-year-old Oscar winner made the orange carpet a family affair

The actress, who has sought to inspire women with public candor about her own health, brought another message of empowerment to the Kids' Choice Awards.

The 24-year-old kept her new assets covered up in a modest white crop top that flashed her toned back, while adding a metallic pop of colour with her floor-length floral skirt.

The 25-year-old's unfortunate, floppy hairstyle managed to make him appear gawky and far less attractive

Others who got the green slime treatment on Saturday included the cast of Modern Family, Emma Stone, Nick Jonas, and more.

The children's sports-star father and fashionista mother stayed at home as Brooklyn acted as babysitter, and they were content to let the boys take all the attention for one night.

Olivia arrived looking loved-up with her boyfriend, the show's host Nick Jonas - at the ceremony well known for covering attendees with green slime.

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and Jennifer Hudson sang their latest tune, Trouble, at the Kids' Choice Awards in LA on Saturday.