SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon teed up a pitch battle for the future of the UK claiming Boris Johnson will be 'subverting democracy' by refusing a ballot.

ANDREW PIERCE: Ian Blackford, the SNP leader in Parliament, who comfortably retained his Highlands seat, is non-executive chairman of internet provider Commsworld.

The SNP won 35 seats in 2017 but managed to secure 12 more at the general election last week - a surge which has bolstered Ms Sturgeon's calls for a second breakaway ballot.

The SNP leader made the admission as she addressed the Holyrood parliament and tore into the Prime Minister after his election win. The SNP itself now holds 47 of the 59 seats in Scotland.

HENRY DEEDES: Word around Westminster is that Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom is for the chop.

Heather Anderson took up her seat on Tuesday to replace Alyn Smith, who had served as an MEP for 15 years but had to step down after being elected MP for Stirling in the recent general election.

The Wombles, who found fame on TV in the Seventies, have come out of retirement to back the Spring Clean. They joined nearly 200 MPs including Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers.

YouGov research found 51 per cent north of the border would support independence - the first time the firm has recorded a majority in favour since 2015.

Former Polish PM Mr Tusk suggested the UK would be focused on 'damage control' in the talks and warned Downing Street against planned divergence from continental rules.

Research by Panelbase suggests that a narrow majority would vote to break up the UK if Nicola Sturgeon gets her way over holding a fresh referendum.

Police Scotland detectives have not 'received any complaint of criminality' but are 'assessing available information' in the wake of Thursday's bombshell revelations.

Kate Forbes only found out that she would announce the Scottish Government's spending pledges for the coming year at around 8am today - just after Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace.

Salmond faces 14 charges of alleged offences against 10 women, all of which he denies.

Former deputy leader of the SNP Jim Sillars, 82, has said that the allegations against against Mr Salmond were the 'dirtiest blow' he has ever seen delivered in his 60 years of political life.

Alex Wilson had his account targeted by his devastated wife Pamela, who said he had left her to be with fellow SNP councillor Mandy Morgan. Pictured: Mr and Mrs Wilson.

Nicola Sturgeon today made clear she is willing to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Scotland at a different rate to the rest of the UK.

OLIVER HOLT - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER IN NICE: From his table at a restaurant on the Promenade des Anglais, Phil Neville stares out at the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs faces a dressing-room rebellion as his side struggles to qualify for Euro 2020. Defeats by Croatia and Hungary have left Wales fourth of five teams in Group E.

Ex-Liverpool star Sakho, 29, was suspended from football in 2016 after testing positive for a fat-burning substance. But it later emerged that the substance was not on the banned list.

Michael O'Neill warned the real tests begin now as his Northern Ireland squad prepare to face Germany in Monday's crunch Euro 2020 qualifier.

Wayne Rooney reportedly warned Jamie Vardy about his wife Rebekah's behavior during Euro 2016 - as Coleen Rooney accused the WAG of selling stories on her in a extraordinary Twitter rant.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN TRNAVA: Former lifeguard Kieffer Moore kept Wales' Euro 2020 qualification hopes afloat with a goal on his competitive debut to earn Ryan Giggs' team a vital point.

Georginio Wijnaldum admits Holland's recent absence from major tournaments has been 'painful' as they look set to end that exodus at Euro 2020 next summer.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has threatened to switch his international allegiance after not being called up to the French squad again.

Gareth Bale believes Wales reaching the European Championship next summer could trump the achievement of playing at Euro 2016. Wales ended a 58-year wait in 2016.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN CARDIFF: If Giggs guides his team to victory over Hungary in the winner-takes-all clash and secures a place at Euro 2020, it will be a significant achievement.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN CARDIFF: Aaron Ramsey is determined to help Wales eclipse their memorable Euro 2016 campaign after scoring twice to send them to next year's Finals.

Joe Allen believes Wales now have a better squad than the group that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Wales have qualified for their second consecutive European Championships.

The Juventus star was victorious on the international stage three years ago as Portugal beat France 1-0 after extra time. And now the 34-year-old has spoken out about the celebrations.

Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to glory in 2016 despite injury and is one of a number of greats to write his name into the glittering history of the Euros since they were introduced in 1960.

Since the shambolic viewings four years ago, England have started to assemble a side capable of going all the way and Southgate deserves credit for putting faith in the next generation.

The singer, 41, broke down after watching Kelli Marie's rendition of an original song about feeling alone, and tearfully vowed that the teen 'wasn't alone anymore.'

Viewers took to Twitter to praise the singer, 34, for her 'fearless' judging style as they demanded she should join the panel permanently.

The former X Factor judge, 67, celebrated her theatre stint for Nativity! The Musical with her daughter Kelly, 35, during a gala night, held at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, on Thursday.

The singer, 34, looked sensational in a plunging black velvet dress which flaunted her incredible toned figure as she joined John Legend at the event.

X Factor: The Band's grand final saw girl group Real Like You crowned the winners as they beat boy band Unwritten Rule in a nail-biting final on Sunday night.

The Pussycat Dolls star, 41, ensured she had all eyes on her during the X Factor: The Band's live grand final on Sunday as she put on a very busty display in a plunging black gown.

The couple looked full of festive cheer as they enjoyed a romantic date night at Winter Wonderland in London 's Hyde Park over the weekend.

Viewers tuning in on Sunday night were left baffled as X Factor: The Band singer wore a hoodie emblazoned with a swear word before 9pm watershed.

She's one of X Factor's success stories.  So it came as no surprise to see Leona Lewis had been invited back to judge the grand finale of the series' spin-off, The Band, on Sunday.

The former TOWIE star, still basking in her triumph on the inaugural series of X Factor: Celebrity, was on hand to gift the winner with a gift card, Boux Avenue bra fitting and obligatory Mimosa.

The X Factor judge, 41, opted for a glamorous look as she donned a chic red fur coat, which no doubt kept the chill off in the chilly climes.

The former TOWIE star, 27, showed off her hourglass curves in the barely-there bikini, which boasted a multi-coloured pattern.

JAN MOIR: Oh my friends, it's been a long, hard year. Brexit, a General Election, Cats the movie, Prince Andrew, Greggs vegan sausage rolls, and the celebrity version of The X Factor.

Unlucky-in-love Stefan-Pierre Tomlin, 29, from south London, shot to fame in 2017 after the dating app revealed 14,600 woman had swiped right for him in two years - more than any other Brit.

The former TOWIE star, 27, shared a chic snap alongside a thoughtful post about the past year and what she has to come, as she wished her followers a happy new year.

X Factor : Celebrity winner Megan McKenna took a 'watermelon break' on Wednesday, seen lounging around on her Instagram page as she kicked back for New Year's Day.

The Love Island personality, 23, reflected on a tumultuous 2019 in an impassioned Instagram post on New Year's Day.

The former TOWIE star, 27, flashed a glimpse of her washboard abs as she posed in a bikini and animal print sarong during Caribbean getaway

The legendary rocker, 71, walked with the help of a cane while his X Factor star wife, 67, lent a helping hand, as they made their way home following dinner Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills on Friday.