Scotland News Live: How the SNPs election campaign was blown off course | How do Scots feel about LEZs? | Marie Stopes and the sexual revolution

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Two men have died after a vehicle left the road and entered water in the Highlands. Police said the pair, aged 27 and 31, were pronounced dead at the scene of the incident on the A87 in Invergarry on Friday morning. Their next of kin have been informed. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Emergency services are in attendance after a vehicle left the road and entered the water off the A87, Invergarry. “The A87 is currently closed at the junction with the A82. Diversions are place. “Two men, aged 27 and 31, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin are aware and are being supported by police.” Inquiries are ongoing.

Child serial killer Lucy Letby has lost her Court of Appeal bid to challenge her convictions. At a two-and-a-half day hearing last month, Letby’s lawyers asked senior judges for approval to bring an appeal against her convictions for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others. At a short hearing on Friday, Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Lord Justice Holroyde, said they had refused Letby’s request. Dame Victoria said: “Having heard her application, we have decided to refuse leave to appeal on all grounds and refuse all associated applications. “A full judgment will be handed down in due course.”

Jeremy Corbyn has announced he is standing as an independent candidate in the General Election. The former Labour leader said he will stand in his constituency of Islington North, vowing to be “an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace”. Mr Corbyn has been suspended by Labour since 2020 after he refused to fully accept the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s findings that the party broke equality law when he was in charge and said antisemitism had been “dramatically overstated for political reasons”. Mr Corbyn told the Islington Tribune that he would fight to retain a seat he has represented for 40 years, adding: “We have to stand up and defend our rights.”

How Marie Stopes, Edinburgh-born sexual revolutionary, blew the doors off Britain's bedrooms

Edinburgh’s New Town isn’t the first place that springs to mind as the birthplace of a sexual revolutionary. A bit too respectable. So it is mildly surprising that perhaps Britain's most influential sex expert was born in Abercromby Place in 1880. Her name was Marie Stopes, and in 1918, she published Married Love, the book that blew the nation's bedroom doors off.

Read more here.

Poll reveals level of support for city low emission zones ahead of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee LEZ fine rollout

The number of Scots in favour of banning the dirtiest vehicles from city centres has risen over the past year, polling has revealed.

Read more here.

Enforcement of the LEZ in Glasgow began on June 1 last year, with Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee due to follow suit in the next few daysEnforcement of the LEZ in Glasgow began on June 1 last year, with Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee due to follow suit in the next few days
Enforcement of the LEZ in Glasgow began on June 1 last year, with Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee due to follow suit in the next few days

Analysis: How the SNP's general election campaign launch was blown off course

Elections can be chaotic and unpredictable. Politicians might have their pre-prepared soundbites, but events have a habit of getting in the way. Just ask First Minister John Swinney.

The SNP’s general election campaign launch, which took place in a rain-lashed hotel on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, was completely overshadowed by the ongoing Michael Matheson saga.

Read more here.

John Swinney gives a speech at the launch of the SNP's general election campaign at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. Picture: Michael Boyd/PA WireJohn Swinney gives a speech at the launch of the SNP's general election campaign at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. Picture: Michael Boyd/PA Wire
John Swinney gives a speech at the launch of the SNP's general election campaign at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. Picture: Michael Boyd/PA Wire

First Minister John Swinney has said it would have been "preferable" if an ambulance had been able to attend an incident in which a one-year-old girl was struck by a car.

Ivy Mae Ross died after being hit by a Land Rover in a church car park in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, last week.

North East Scotland MSP Douglas Lumsden said that at the time of incident, ambulances in the area were "all stacked up outside Aberdeen Royal Infirmary" and unable to attend.

As a result, he told the First Minister the Scottish Ambulance Service sent its Special Operations Response Team (Sort), which normally deals with hazardous incidents.

First Minister John Swinney said he was "relishing the opportunity" to fight a campaign of "hope and unity" in the coming weeks.

Telling the assembled MSPs and activists that he wants to "unite Scotland for independence", Mr Swinney said: "I'm relishing the opportunity to campaign across this modern, diverse and beautiful country.

"I can't, of course, make any promises about the outcome, that's for the voters to decide, but I can promise you this - the SNP will be fighting an energetic, optimistic campaign full of enthusiasm, a campaign infused with hope for a better future.

"I'll be leading that campaign from the front - I'll travel the length and breadth of Scotland bringing that campaign of hope and unity.

"I can't wait to get started - let's get out there and put Scotland first."

Former Scottish deputy first minister Lord Wallace is to act as campaign chairman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the General Election, the party has announced. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said he has asked Lord Wallace – who twice served as acting first minister – to take charge of the campaign because “he is a proven election winner”. Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Under his leadership, the Scottish Liberal Democrats secured their best election results and played a key part in delivering devolution and the Scottish Parliament. “As deputy first minister and acting first minister, he delivered pioneering freedom of information legislation and free personal care, passed the smoking ban and introduced the free bus pass. Every Scottish Government since has been a pale shadow. “Unlike the SNP, he knows how to deliver good government and get the basics right. I am delighted that he has agreed to take on this role.”

Former Scottish health secretary Michael Matheson said the Holyrood committee which recommended a 27-day suspension for him was “politicised” and the sanction was “excessive”. Speaking to journalists following First Minister’s Questions, he said: “I acknowledge the recommendations that the committee have made. “I think it’s pretty clear though that the process has become highly politicised, which has compromised the process and the fairness of the process. “I also think the sanctions they’ve imposed are excessive and they are unfair.”

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