logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2021
22m 37s

Salmond Inquiry Special: A Grim Scottish...

bloomberg
About this episode

The Scottish parliament is investigating the government's mishandling of sexual harassment allegations against the former first minister Alex Salmond, In this special episode, we discuss the implications for current first minister Nicola Sturgeon and the independence movement. Bloomberg's senior editor Rodney Jefferson lays out the background from Edinburgh.

Jackie Baillie MSP, interim leader of Scottish Labour and a member of the inquiry tells Bloomberg Westminster's Caroline Hepker and Roger Hearing that the SNP is tearing itself apart and the toxicity of that is affecting Scotland's democratic institutions.

Plus Alyn Smith, SNP MP for Stirling admits there were failings in the handling of complaints and that this is a 'grim' and 'unedifying' state of affairs, but opponents have leapt on the issue. Smith adds that the impact on independence and on the SNP's popularity have been overstated.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jul 4
A Year of Keir: Labour's Scorecard
The UK Prime Minister celebrates his first year in power this week. But what should be a positive occasion has been marred by a humiliating U-turn on welfare. We ask New Economics Foundation CEO Danny Sriskandarajah how the left view the achievements of the Labour government, and ... Show More
15m 39s
Jun 27
U-Turn To Where? Questions for Starmer After Benefits Climb Down
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been forced into a U-turn on a planned £5 billion cut to disability entitlements, to quell a rebellion from within his own party. John Stepek, who writes Bloomberg's Money Distilled newsletter, discusses the pressure on Labour from both the left, a ... Show More
13m 40s
Jun 23
Emergency Podcast: Britain's Iran Dilemma
The UK says its military wasn’t involved in American air strikes on Iran, although a cabinet minister expressed support for the outcome. With the US now engaged in a conflict in the Middle East, many are asking if there are echoes of the Iraq War, which still haunts Britain's Lab ... Show More
14m 20s
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
Is Scottish independence back on the agenda?
Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP, has been pushing for Scottish independence since she was elected First Minister seven and a half years ago. The UK government has repeatedly rejected her calls, but after the local elections further strengthened the SNP, could a second referend ... Show More
26m 34s
Apr 2021
A short history of Scottish separatism
With the Scottish parliament election less than a week away, Jack Blanchard looks back at the history of the Scottish nationalist movement and explains how it shifted from a fringe pursuit to perhaps the majority view in Scotland. Former First Ministers Alex Salmond and Jack McCo ... Show More
39m 56s
Feb 2023
Plenty More Fish in the SNP
Scotland is looking for a new first minister. As the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon starts to take shape, Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark, “fresh” off the sleeper train from Edinburgh, and Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, share their views on what’s next for Scottish politics and in ... Show More
33m 25s
Jun 2023
Scotland’s Sturgeon arrested
The former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested on Sunday, Boris Johnson’s exit from UK parliament will have consequences for the Conservative Party. Plus, former US president Donald Trump’s most recent indictment could have implications on his 2024 run for p ... Show More
9m 45s
Feb 2023
Has Sturgeon SNPeaked?
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon is under pressure following the row over her gender reforms and a drop in the polls. But is she in serious trouble, or will the dominant force in Scottish politics continue to confound her critics? Matt hears from former Scottish Conserva ... Show More
43m 3s
Apr 2024
Humza Yousaf quits - does this spell the end for Scottish independence?
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has resigned – days after he cut the SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens.     It followed a bitter row over the SNP's climbdown on climate targets as he said the agreement between the parties had "served its purpose".     As a ... Show More
18m 58s
Sep 2023
The Battle for Scotland
Host Ailbhe Rea hits the campaign trail in the greater Glasgow constituency of Rutherglen and Hamilton West, where a high-profile by-election battle between Labour and the ruling Scottish National Party looks very much like next year's general election in Scotland in microcosm. A ... Show More
43m 13s