by Colin Campbell BORIS Johnson made another light hearted reference to Ian Blackford’s weight at PMQs yesterday, saying that Blackford, like Johnson, clearly believed in “moderation in all things”. The Child Refugee Saviour merely slumped back in his seat and grinned. Maybe behind the scenes they are indeed good pals – the “Eton toff” and the rich former merchant banker – as Johnson has claimed. … Continue reading Who knows anymore if a woman can have a penis? But we do know Blackford is fat

by Colin Campbell Ukrainians who have fled to Scotland amid the war with Russia will be able to access NHS services for free, and will also be entitled to a full range of benefits. Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are determined to do everything in our power to give displaced people from Ukraine the warmest welcome possible when they arrive and this includes offering … Continue reading Ukrainians get full range of healthcare and benefits. Many will welcome this, and in a country beset by fear for the future, many won’t

by Colin Campbell ON Friday the number of people in Highland hospitals with covid was the highest figure it’s been since it all started two years ago, a total of 147 people in the wards. That was SEVEN TIMES the number of just a few weeks ago. Two years on, trying to make sense of the virus and its ramifications seems as difficult as ever. … Continue reading Covid hospital numbers at record high, but public concern over it has fallen to a new low

by Colin Campbell EXACTLY two years ago the coronavirus crisis began. We reported on the unfolding drama and trauma here on a daily basis. From raucous entertainment hub to virtual ghost town was our headline with pictures on Friday, March 20 as the night brought an eerie silence to Inverness city centre as everything closed down. On the same day: Inverness leisure centre closes its … Continue reading During covid millions were paid to stay at home doing nothing. Now, amid mindless outrage, there’s an inevitable price to be paid

by Colin Campbell IN an all too rare moment of good grace, Ian Blackford yesterday thanked the UK Government for the part they had played in bringing a group of Ukrainian refugee children to Scotland. They had been expected to travel here from Poland on Monday, but a delay in paperwork involving the Polish and Ukrainian authorities resulted in a two day delay. Blackford had … Continue reading In a rare moment of good grace, SNP pays tribute to Government over Dnipro kids arrival

by Colin Campbell COUNCILS have a notorious aversion – or inability – to communicate in plain English. This has long been apparent to journalists used to studying agendas and documents they produce, and needing in their line of work to make sense of them. Not so long ago I met up with a former colleague who had gone to work for Highland Council. He told … Continue reading As May election campaign gets underway, the mangled world of council speak, and how it landed us with the Gathering Place

by Colin Campbell DREW Henry has gone quiet on Ukrainian refugees of late. Maybe the Inverness MP realises it doesn’t look so good bawling “outrage, disgusting, disgrace” over their treatment by the UK Government  – which has agreed to take in more than 200,000 – if, when push comes to shove, you’re not taking any in yourself. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford is however in … Continue reading BLACKFORD INFORMS WORLD OF HIS TRIP TO BRING BACK CHILD REFUGEES

by Colin Campbell A RAFT of comments appeared online after it was announced that Margaret Davidson, Highland Council leader for the past seven years and a councillor for the past 27, would be quitting the local authority at the elections in May. Good riddance… Not before time…27 years too late…  the tone, without exception, was harsh. Some people can be a bit uncharitable, can’t they? … Continue reading Despite riverside debacle, Davidson deserves better than ‘good riddance’