Scots must call out far-right activity after warning in Clydebank and Hamilton
Nigel Farage likes to insist there is no room for racists in his Reform UK party.
A week seldom goes by when the right-wing populists are not forced to suspend or kick out another member for sharing far-right views, often on matters linked to race or immigration.
Saying the supposedly unsayable is a big part of Reform's appeal to sections of the electorate who feel they've been ignored or let down.
But calling for a reasoned debate on the UK's migration system is too often an excuse for racists and online cranks to spout their hatred of people who may look or sound different to them.
Far-right groups like Patriotic Alternative may not be official members of Reform but they have been emboldened by Farage's rise in the polls.
The white nationalists drew attention to themselves with their hateful banners displayed in Stonehouse ahead of the recent by-election in South Lanarkshire.
They are now regularly causing a nuisance in Clydebank and harassing a local trade union group that hosts a weekly stall in the town centre advising people on workers' rights.
It is no surprise that these far-right groups would target those seeking a better life for working people because they are completely opposed to progress, fairness and equality.
All they ever want to talk about is division, hate and blaming minorities for society's problems.
The far-right activity in Clydebank and Hamilton should act as a warning to all of Scotland. All decent people, including our politicians, police and the courts, need to step up and call out the far right.
Ignoring them is not an option.
We owe it to them
Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is 10 years old this month.
The thousands of medical staff who have worked there deserve enormous credit. Many people have had their lives improved or saved by the doctors, surgeons and nurses at the QEUH, who devote themselves to our well-being.
But Labour leader Anas Sarwar is right to highlight major failings by those in charge of the hospital that have let down patients and staff.
In his column today Sarwar repeats calls for Milly's Law in Scotland.
This is named after 10-year-old Milly Main, who died during cancer treatment at the QEUH after contracting an infection found in water.
A new law would give bereaved families new rights to demand transparency from hospital bosses over the treatment of loved ones.
Such a measure is long overdue and it would be a vital step in making sure the hospital makes the improvements it needs.
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