Sam Matterface was once the commentator on ITV reality show Dancing On Ice, a programme in which celebrities lined up to fall flat on their face. Some habits, it seems, are hard to shake.

Hundreds of meetings between Scottish ministers and multinationals, wealthy individuals and other influential organisations were left off the lobbying register in 2020 due to loopholes in legislation, The Ferret can reveal.

The Herald is delighted to announce our week-long exclusive investigation into 'Who Runs Scotland', in partnership with the award-winning journalism platform The Ferret.

By Ian McConnell

Professional lobbyists have met with Scottish Government representatives on behalf of clients 179 times since March 2018, The Ferret can reveal.

The groundbreaking investigative work done by The Herald and The Ferret exposes a malaise at the centre of Scottish government when it comes to lobbying: without the disinfectant of transparency we cannot know whether it also amounts to full-scale co...

Questions have been raised over the power and influence of energy companies following analysis by The Ferret revealing how key sectors dominate Scottish lobbying.

YOU don’t hear much about the Scottish Establishment because the elites who tilt this country’s business in their favour work hard to convince you it doesn’t exist.

Big business including oil and renewable energy, farming, fishing, finance and whisky dominated Scotland Office ministers’ meetings last year, analysis by The Ferret has found.

HANDS up. I might not have been the most frequent flight-shamer, just as I’ve not been the most frequent flyer, but certainly I’ve wagged the odd flygskam finger – particularly at wealthy, high-paid individuals, jetting around the world in the ...

Who really owns Scotland’s whisky, wind farms and media? How do Scotland’s top lobbyists influence power?

I WOULD like to support and add to L McGregor’s letter on poverty (July 9) with a personal story.

Have you wanted to know who really pulls the strings behind Scotland's industries and power?

Cutting comment

Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar has today backed The Herald's campaign for a fair deal for Glasgow's cultural assets and treasures which face mounting financial pressures.

A young Glaswegian who was given a “stern talking to” for selling home-made gin to his schoolmates at the age of 16 is toasting an award-winning drinks business.

By Ian McConnell

While widespread reports of acute staff shortages across sectors such as hospitality, construction, logistics and more have raised concerns about economic recovery, new research from Capital Economics has suggested that most of these shortfalls shoul...

Analysis By s1jobs  

Recruitment is difficult for many employers at the moment, with skill shortages and a lack of available talent in multiple industries. The pandemic is undoubtedly one of the root causes here, but there are several other long-term trends in play that ...

By Scott Wright

Name: Julia Latif.

What they say counts. And rarely more so than during a pandemic.

Good news: there’s going to be a consultation in Scotland on banning gay conversion therapy. Bad news: there’s going to be a consultation in Scotland on banning gay conversion therapy. It’s both good news and bad news because the consultation w...

The Football Association says it is “appalled” after a number of England players were subjected to racist abuse on social media following the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 loss to Italy.

So, who won? At the time of writing, that’s still in the lap of the gods. But one thing’s certain: we’ll never hear the end of it.

IN the days when Doctor Who was genuinely scary, little kids used to cower behind the sofa to avoid looking at the gruesome monsters.

Politicians frequently achieve the most when they upset the very people who are their natural supporters. Think of Tony Blair. Bizarrely the Labour Party hates him but he is the only Labour Prime Minister to win a General Election since 1974 and ther...

EVEN at the age of 37, Chris Burke still emits a near tangible spark of energy. Kilmarnock’s relegation at the end of last season was the signal for Tommy Wright to begin a period of extensive squad renovation with 14 new players coming in so far a...

A young Glaswegian who was given a “stern talking to” for selling home-made gin to his schoolmates at the age of 16 is toasting an award-winning drinks business.

Over the next week, The Herald and The Ferret are taking an in-depth look into who really pulls the strings with our 'Who Runs Scotland' investigation.

It has famously appeared on Nike trainers and Dr Martens' boots.

Old police stations are among nearly 100 property sales which have made Police Scotland more than £28 million since 2013, figures show.

By Mike Merritt

Lightning strikes have killed 38 people in two Indian states over the past 24 hours, including 11 people taking photos atop a watchtower.

THEY are ‘antiques’, but not as you know them. According to new research, your clunky old mobiles gathering dust in your cupboard could well be worth a bob or two.

A quarter of road workers have suffered mental health issues following verbal or physical abuse from the public while they work, new research has found.

There have been chaotic scenes in central London with some fans even trying to force their way into Wembley Stadium as excitement for England’s historic Euro 2020 final reached fever pitch.

AVIATION bosses have penned a letter to Nicola Sturgeon urging the First Minister to match the rules in England for quarantine-free travel from amber-list countries.

DEMANDS have been made for an “ambitious and forward-looking plan” to treat thousands suffering with long Covid in Scotland.

The Year of the End

Senior managers across the financial sector could have their pay linked to progress on workforce diversity and inclusion (D&I) targets under proposals put forth by UK financial watchdogs.

Sir Richard Branson is set for his first space flight with Virgin Galactic.

SCOTLAND’S Health Secretary has denied that contact tracers no longer asking those who have tested positive for Covid if they have been to pubs, shops or sporting events is down to “malicious reasons”.

There have been 2,048 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Scotland in the past 24 hours.

Lisbon Lion and Celtic legend Charlie Gallagher has died aged 80.

HUMZA Yousaf has stressed that Scotland is “past the worst” in a surge of new cases of Covid-19 – but waned caution is still needed in lifting remaining restrictions.

HAITI: Mercenaries and Moise - The killing of a president

THE leader of Scotland’s largest teachers’ union has called for Nicola Sturgeon to launch a coronavirus vaccination programme for secondary school pupils.

A pharmacist and a dietitian tell Lisa Salmon which health-boosting weeds should end up on your plate or in your mug rather than on the compost heap.