Scotland news live: Matheson refuses to quit as MSP despite suspension | Big name authors announced for Scottish book festival in London | The veterinary drug that has been found in country's drug supply
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Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he is not trying to block left-wingers from standing for Labour after Diane Abbott claimed they are facing an "appalling" cull.
The Labour leader said he wants the "highest quality" candidates to stand for the party after a series of selection decisions sparked anger on the left.
Ms Abbott's own future remains uncertain after she said she wants to fight to retain her seat "as long as it is possible".
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said "I don't think there's any reason why Diane Abbott shouldn't stand" and the row over her future was "not a great look".
A "do not travel" alert has been issued after a freight train derailed on a major route between England and Scotland.
Services are being cancelled and delayed because of the incident on the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District on Wednesday night, National Rail Enquiries added.
Some lines are blocked and a very limited train service is running on the line that remains open.
Train operators Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express issued the "do not travel" alert, urging passengers not to attempt to use their services for journeys between Preston and Scotland on Thursday.
Ticket holders can delay journeys until Friday or travel with other operators.
Network Rail was approached for a comment.
A funeral firm at the centre of a police investigation into claims of missing ashes has been expelled from the National Association of Funeral Directors.
Following a disciplinary investigation the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) said that A Milne Funeral Directors will be permanently excluded from the association, with immediate effect.
Detectives this month launched a probe into the now-closed business amid allegations of ashes going missing, families being given the wrong remains, and financial misconduct.
Scottish ice-cream brand launches Taylor Swift flavour: How does it taste?
All across the country, Scottish businesses are cobbling together Taylor Swift themed merch, in time for her grand The Eras Tour appearance at Edinburgh’s Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium from June 7-9.
Read more here.


Big-name authors to provide 'zesty kick-start' for inaugural St Andrew's Book Festival in London
The new Scottish book festival will be staged across London – and will feature renowned authors of the ilk of Sir Ian Rankin Read more here.


The veterinary drug that has been found in Scotland's drug supply - and what it could be doing to people
Cannabis vapes and counterfeit painkillers could contain xylazine, health chiefs have warned, leading to fears that large swathes of the population could be affected by its dangerous side effects.
Read more here.


Good morning - top story today - Matheson's refusal to quit - despite record suspension - set to overshadow SNP election campaign
Michael Matheson is set to continue overshadowing the SNP general election campaign after he refused to quit despite being handed down the longest Holyrood suspension in history for his £11,000 iPad data roaming saga.
Read more here.


Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott has not been barred from standing in the General Election, Sir Keir Starmer said.
The Labour leader said no decision had been taken on whether she would be allowed to defend her seat.
Ms Abbott, who in 1987 became the first black woman elected to Parliament, said she was "very dismayed" at suggestions she would be barred from standing.
She had the Labour whip suspended in April 2023 pending an investigation after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism.
The whip was restored on Tuesday, but Ms Abbott appeared to believe she had been barred from standing in Hackney North and Stoke Newington on July 4.
"Although the whip has been restored, I am banned from standing as a Labour candidate," she told the BBC.
But she later wrote on social media: "I am very dismayed that numerous reports suggest I have been barred as a candidate."
Sir Keir told reporters in Worcester "it's not true" that Ms Abbott had been barred.
"No decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.
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