Nicola Sturgeon accused Alex Salmond of putting self-interest ahead of the country’s best interests as she placed independence at the heart of her Holyrood election campaign.
In an online speech to the SNP’s campaign conference, the Scottish first minister refused to say her predecessor’s name but made a thinly veiled reference to his new breakaway party, Alba.
Drawing on her experience of leading the Scottish government during the Covid-19 pandemic, she said that her priorities and attitudes towards political debate had changed.
“In politics, things that once seemed desperately important feel so much less so now. I don’t have much time these days for the ‘who’s up/who’s down’ approach to politics,” Sturgeon said. “And I definitely have much less patience for those who treat
Thousands of German tourists are flocking to Majorca ahead
of the Easter weekend, despite the German government advising against travel.
At the weekend 130 flights from Germany landed on Majorca,
and German travel agents estimated they brought at least 16,000 tourists.
Even so, the numbers so far are less than 40% of the
pre-pandemic level.
A German government official, Helge Braun, was quoted as
saying “an Easter holiday under current circumstances is simply not justifiable”.
But Germany, unlike the UK, has not banned foreign holidays. And Germany considers Majorca currently to be low risk.
Germany is struggling with high infection rates and a partial
lockdown is in force, so returning tourists will have to show evidence of a
negative test, taken in Majorca. The rapid antigen test - also called lateral
flow - is acceptable.
Majorca hotels are making the test available. A local German-language
paper, Mallorca Zeitung, says anyone testing positive can serve their
quarantine free of charge in a hotel set aside for Covid patients, provided
they have the EU health insurance card (Ehic).
One of the country’s most senior police officers has said he believes that schools have covered up sexual offences to protect their reputations as a task force took charge of the surge in abuse complaints.
Chief Constable Simon Bailey told The Times that the outpouring of allegations was the education sector’s “MeToo” moment and that he feared a “culture of misogyny and sexual harassment” had not been challenged in some schools.
Bailey is the lead officer for Operation Hydrant, the national task force for child sexual abuse investigations in institutions. It will assess allegations of abuse in schools before they are given to individual forces to investigate, with a national hotline for abuse reports to be set up within 72 hours.
Part of the art of opposition is invention. Waiting lists have been a feature of the National Health Service since its invention but as a political concept, the idea of “NHS waiting times” dates back to the late 1980s. They became not only a favoured stick with which to beat the Conservative governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major but, later, a key way that Tony Blair’s government assessed its own performance. Even today, the amount of time someone waits in accident and emergency or for an appointment is a central part of the political debate about how well or badly the governments of England, Scotland and Wales are running their health services.
One of Labour’s biggest opportunities over the next few years will be
Two households or groups of up to six people are now able to meet outside in England again as the stay-at-home Covid restrictions order comes to an end.
Outdoor sport facilities including tennis courts and golf courses are also reopening, and organised outdoor sports can resume in the latest easing.
And weddings will also be on again, attended by up to six people.
But Boris Johnson has urged caution, saying cases are up in Europe and variants threaten the vaccine rollout.
"Despite today's easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules, remember hands, face, space, and come forward for a vaccine when called," the prime minister said.
A new slogan - Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air - was also being unveiled by the government to emphasise the importance of ventilation in reducing the spread of the virus.
Prof Chris Whitty, the UK's chief medical officer, said: "The evidence is very clear that outdoor spaces are safer than indoors. It is important to remember this as we move into the next phase."
Covid-19 - a virus lethal to some, economically deadly to many, an extinguisher of the liberties of all.
Today, in England, the latest baby steps towards normality.
A relief to millions, accompanied by a soundtrack of caution from ministers.
A familiar refrain acquires some extra words: "Hands, face, space... and fresh air."
Rammed home will be: "Don't invite anyone into your home."
Outside good, inside bad.
And keep going with the social distancing.
England's next moment of unlocking, including that much anticipated haircut, is a fortnight away at the earliest.
Monday marks the second easing of the lockdown imposed across England in early January, after schools reopened to all pupils on 8 March. People were also permitted to exercise with their household, or with one person from outside their household.
People can now meet outside - including in private gardens - in groups of up to six, or as two households, with social distancing.
But as many friends and families prepare to be reunited for the first time together in several months, ministers are still advising people to work from home where possible and minimise the number of journeys they take.
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston urged those travelling to visit family and friends to plan journeys ahead - filling up with petrol or going to shops locally before travelling.
People should stay outside once there, he told BBC Breakfast, as the change of rules "is not an excuse to stay overnight".
Mr Huddleston also advised people who see others bending the rules to "call them out in a respectful way" and refrain from hugging.
"I know it's a little bit awkward, but actually in these circumstances it's the right thing to do," he said.
The next stage in the relaxation of the rules will take place no earlier than 12 April with non-essential retail reopening, and restaurants and pubs allowed to serve outdoors.
The stay home order in Scotland will end on Friday, and from Thursday in Northern Ireland up to six people, or two households, will be able to meet outdoors.
Another 19 deaths of people within 28 days of a positive Covid test were recorded on Sunday, compared with 33 on the same day last week, along with a further 3,862 cases.
The latest government figures show 423,852 UK adults received a first dose of the vaccine on Saturday, taking the overall number to 30,151,287 - with 233,964 having their second dose, bringing that total to 3,527,481.
Sports stars including England World Cup-winning cricket captain Eoin Morgan and British number one women's tennis player Johanna Konta are teaming up with the government to encourage a return to physical activity.
Mr Johnson said "as teams return to outdoor pitches, courts, parks and fields, I hope today will kick-start a Great British summer of sport".
The prime minister added: "I know how much people have missed the camaraderie and competition of organised sport, and how difficult it has been to restrict physical activities - especially for children."
The government has announced it will set up a new Office for Health Promotion in England to promote physical fitness and mental health, saying the pandemic has revealed many vulnerabilities in the population.
The PM said the new office, expected to be launched by the autumn, will be "crucial in tackling the causes, not just the symptoms" of ill-health.
It will design policy across Whitehall and resources will come from the existing health budget, according to the Department of Health and Social Care, where it will be based.
Boris Johnson says he hopes the relaxation of COVID rules in England kickstarts a "Great British summer of sport" - but has urged people to remain cautious and to stick to the rules.
From today:
Groups of up to six people - or two households - can socialise in parks and gardens
Football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, outdoor swimming pools can reopen
Golf course and sailing clubs can reopen
Organised team sports can resume outdoors
People should still work from home if possible and minimise their journeys
The 'stay at home' order is being replace with a 'stay local' instruction
Elsewhere:
In Wales the 'stay local' order ended on Saturday
People are allowed to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation
In Scotland the 'stay home' order ends on Friday
In Northern Ireland, up to six people - two households - can meet outside from Thursday
The prime minister said he hopes the return of outdoor activities will "kickstart a Great British summer of sport" and that "many will welcome the increased social contact".
Mr Johnson has tried to lose weight since his hospitalisation with COVID-19 last year and called for the public to participate in a fitness drive, with children recommended to aim for an hour of physical activity a day, and adults for at least 150 minutes.
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Image:The four stages of England's lockdown lifting
He said: "I know how much people have missed the camaraderie and competition of organised sport, and how difficult it has been to restrict physical activities - especially for children.
"So as teams return to outdoor pitches, courts, parks and fields, I hope today will kickstart a Great British summer of sport - with people of all ages reunited with teammates, and able to resume the activities they love.
More from Boris Johnson
Image:The rule of six comes back into force on Monday
"I know many will welcome the increased social contact, with groups of six or two households now also able to meet outdoors."
Also, a new Office for Health Promotion will be formed to tackle obesity and poor mental health, as lockdown restrictions are eased.
England World Cup-winning cricket captain Eoin Morgan said: "With summer - and the cricket season - just around the corner, there's no better time for everyone, young and old, to get back to having fun by getting outdoors, being active and playing sport."
However, Mr Johnson reminded people to exercise caution, and stick to existing rules on meeting up indoors and travelling, particularly amid a third wave of COVID-19 in Europe and the threat of virus variants.
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'I'll be going to the pub in a few days'
"We must remain cautious with cases rising across Europe and new variants threatening our vaccine rollout," he said.
"Despite today's easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules, remember hands, face, space, and come forward for a vaccine when called."
"Previous experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends, I'm afraid it washes up on our shores as well," he said.
Although, he said there was "nothing in the data to dissuade [him] from continuing on the roadmap to freedom".
On Sunday, Stephen Powis, medical director of NHS England, urged people to continue to follow the rules and limit contact with others, saying the easing "does not mean job done."
"We've made enormous progress that we need to build on and not squander the gains we've made," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.
Under the government's roadmap to lifting lockdown, shops, hairdressers and outdoor dining in England are to reopen on 12 April, followed by indoor venues on 17 May.
Mr Johnson is counting on falling cases and deaths, and a rapid vaccination rollout, to help the UK end the coronavirus lockdown for good in June.
More than 30 million people - 57% of all UK adults - have received a first vaccine dose so far. Almost 7% of adults have had both doses.
Ministers remain confident that all over-50s will have been offered a first dose by 15 April. The government aims to offer all adults a jab by the end of July.
Meanwhile, Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of Britain's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said it was vital that people who had received a vaccine remain cautious.
"It's really important that people who are vaccinated remember that they aren't completely protected," he told the BBC.
"They're protected against severe disease, hospitalisation and death, but they might not be protected against infection after one dose, it takes three or four weeks for the vaccine effects to kick in, and they could potentially still transmit."
Boris Johnson says he hopes Monday's relaxation of COVID rules in England kickstarts a "Great British summer of sport" - but has urged people to remain cautious and to stick to the rules.
From Monday, groups of up to six, or two households, are able to reunite outdoors, and outdoor sport can resume.
The stay at home order is also being replaced with a message to stay local, as part of Mr Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown.
The prime minister said he hopes the return of outdoor activities will "kickstart a Great British summer of sport" and that "many will welcome the increased social contact".
Image:The four stages of England's lockdown lifting
He said: "I know how much people have missed the camaraderie and competition of organised sport, and how difficult it has been to restrict physical activities - especially for children.
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"So as teams return to outdoor pitches, courts, parks and fields, I hope today will kickstart a Great British summer of sport - with people of all ages reunited with teammates, and able to resume the activities they love.
Image:The rule of six comes back into force on Monday
"I know many will welcome the increased social contact, with groups of six or two households now also able to meet outdoors."
More from Boris Johnson
However, Mr Johnson reminded people to exercise caution, and stick to existing rules on meeting up indoors and travelling, particularly amid a third wave of COVID-19 in Europe and the threat of virus variants.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
'I'll be going to the pub in a few days'
"We must remain cautious with cases rising across Europe and new variants threatening our vaccine rollout," he said.
"Despite today's easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules, remember hands, face, space, and come forward for a vaccine when called."
"Previous experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends, I'm afraid it washes up on our shores as well," he said.
Although, he said there was "nothing in the data to dissuade [him] from continuing on the roadmap to freedom".
On Sunday, Stephen Powis, medical director of NHS England, urged people to continue to follow the rules and limit contact with others, saying the easing "does not mean job done."
"We've made enormous progress that we need to build on and not squander the gains we've made," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.
Under the government's roadmap to lifting lockdown, shops, hairdressers and outdoor dining in England are to reopen on 12 April, followed by indoor venues on 17 May.
Mr Johnson is counting on falling cases and deaths, and a rapid vaccination rollout, to help the UK end the coronavirus lockdown for good in June.
More than 30 million people - 57% of all UK adults - have received a first vaccine dose so far. Almost 7% of adults have had both doses.
Ministers remain confident that all over-50s will have been offered a first dose by 15 April. The government aims to offer all adults a jab by the end of July.
Meanwhile, Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of Britain's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said it was vital that people who had received a vaccine remain cautious.
"It's really important that people who are vaccinated remember that they aren't completely protected," he told the BBC.
"They're protected against severe disease, hospitalisation and death, but they might not be protected against infection after one dose, it takes three or four weeks for the vaccine effects to kick in, and they could potentially still transmit."
