Darth Vader's Star Wars lightsabre and Michael Keaton Batman suit go to auction
Remote 90-acre Scottish island for sale for less than a home in London
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Daily Record
28 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Justice Secretary faces complaint about SNP material on taxpayer-funded website
A spokesperson for Angela Constance said "action was taken" after issues about her MSP website were brought to her attention. Justice Secretary Angela Constance has been accused of breaching Holyrood rules over SNP material on her taxpayer-funded website. A complaint was lodged on Friday alleging SNP logos were used on Angela Constance 's MSP website, which must not promote a political party. The material has been taken down. A spokesperson for Constance said: "Upon being made aware of this issue, action was taken to rectify the matter." Constance is a key member of John Swinney's Cabinet and the SNP MSP for Almond Valley. Holyrood rules say that publications funded from parliamentary resources must not relate to an MSP 's work as a Minister. Party political logos are also not allowed on MSP websites funded by Holyrood. The complaint alleges Constance has breached the policy on multiple counts and a dossier has been passed to Holyrood authorities. Included are links to articles on the site which feature Constance in her role as Justice Secretary. Press releases which display the SNP 's logo are also part of the complaint. The complaint states: 'Angela Constance is using the publicly funded site to promote her work as a Scottish Government Minister, including updates and announcements clearly related to her ministerial responsibilities, rather than her role as a constituency MSP. 'The site includes party-political content and references that go beyond the factual, non-partisan remit expected of Parliament-funded communications. 'Angela Constance's website features SNP logos and party branding, which are clearly in breach of this rule. These visual elements are prominent and repeated, leaving no ambiguity as to their nature.' The complainant has called for a Holyrood probe into Constance's MSP website. The Justice Secretary was criticised last year after allowing her son to travel to an Old Firm match in her ministerial car. A Scottish Labour source said: "It's not enough that Angela Constance expects taxpayers to foot the bill for her chauffeur-driven trips to Old Firm matches, now she wants the public to pay for SNP propaganda online too. "This is part of a wider culture of entitlement we've seen time and again from senior SNP figures. Neil Gray also used taxpayer-funded chauffeurs to get to football games. Michael Matheson racked up thousands on his iPad roaming bill and tried to blame his kids before finally resigning. "The message is clear: the SNP think the rules don't apply to them and they treat taxpayers with complete contempt.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said: 'The Parliament's policies reflect that parliamentary resources cannot be used for party political purposes. As a matter of standard practice we won't comment on or confirm receipt of complaints.'
Daily Record
28 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Family launch urgent appeal to fund Glasgow woman's lifesaving cancer treatment abroad
Patrycja Cichocka was given just 2-6 weeks to live after her brain tumour grew from the size of a 5p piece to a £2 coin. A heartbroken family are in an urgent race against time to raise funds for lifesaving cancer treatment abroad after 28-year-old Patrycja Cichocka was told she has just weeks to live. Patrycja, a beautician and much-loved sister from Priesthill was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour pressing on her spine. Her family claim doctors in Scotland have given them the devastating news that there is nothing more they can do. Now, the Cichocki family are pleading for help to get her to specialists in Poland or Germany, who are willing to administer proton therapy, an advanced and highly targeted form of radiotherapy. Her sister, Agnieszka Cichocki told the Record: "Scottish doctors have told us there's nothing more they can do. But Patrycja is a warrior. We're not ready to give up and would go to the ends of the earth for her." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Patrycja's symptoms began last year when she started experiencing headaches, vomiting, speech problems and mobility issues. She collapsed trying to climb stairs and was repeatedly told by her then-GP, that she had "a viral infection" and needed rest and to drink plenty of water. Agnieszka said: "She was dismissed twice by the GP twice, by the third week we had to take her to hospital ourselves. They finally did a scan and we discovered it was a brain tumour." She was diagnosed with medulloblastoma on October 7, 2024, after an MRI scan at the Beatson Cancer Centre. The family later learned she had been born with the condition, but it had only become active after a fall while running for a bus. Patrycja underwent nine radiotherapy sessions from December to early January and three rounds of chemotherapy. In January, doctors told her the tumour appeared to be gone. However, just over six months later, the cancer has returned and is growing at a terrifying rate. "It's gone from the size of a 5p piece to a £2 coin. A second tumour is now pressing onto her spine. She's barely able to speak. She wobbles constantly and struggles to hold a spoon to eat. But she still refuses to give up." Her family say her medical team in Scotland have deemed any further operation too risky. However, clinics in Germany and Poland have told them proton therapy could give Patrycja more time. The Essen Clinic in Germany - where the family are awaiting confirmation based on her full records - has reportedly carried out similar operations successfully. But the family say they are struggling to get all the official documents from NHS Scotland and the Beatson, only photocopies of MRI scans have been provided so far. "We're trying to get legal aid involved to push for her documents. Without those, we can't move. We're losing time every day, it's already been a week since we were told she had two to six weeks left." Patrycja's fiancé, Karol Wiechkowski, who is also her full-time carer, helps her move around the house and acts as her 'wheelchair', as Patrycja refuses to use her actual one. "She says 'I'll do it myself.' That's who she is, she's so determined. She's always looked after us and now we have to fight for her." The family are currently fundraising for the cost of medical transport, a specially-adapted vehicle, ferry travel, and whatever cost the treatment abroad will be. Patrycja's treatment will cost approximately £120,000. So far, they have raised around £9,000 in Scotland and £1,500 in Poland through a separate fundraiser. The family's restaurant, Bistro Attaca in Tollcross, has also had to temporarily shut down while they focus all their efforts on saving Patrycja's life. Before she became unwell, Patrycja worked there alongside running her own beauty business, offering tattoo removals and facial treatments. "She's the strongest person in our family. She's the eldest sister and always puts everyone first. Now we just want the chance to save her. We'd go to the ends of the earth for her." The family are raising funds via GoFundMe.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
'Home-grown' rocket company Skyrora in UK space sector first
Skyrora chief executive Volodymyr Levykin said the journey to the granting of the licence by the UK Civil Aviation Authority had been "a long but ultimately rewarding one", adding that he was grateful to authorities for their due diligence in ensuring all launch activities are "held to the highest of standards". Read more: 'It is essential that the UK has sovereign launch capabilities," he added. "Not only to unlock commercial activity for companies that need to access space and to help achieve the government's objectives for becoming a global player in the space sector, but also from a strategic defence consideration. "Skyrora is proud to be leading efforts that enable launch activity from the UK and we look forward to achieving a reliable commercial launch programme that benefits us all.' Set up in 2017, the Skyrora rocket business and its parent company Skyrora Ventures are owned by Mr Levykin and "family and friends" who have financed operations to date. The company's SkyLark L vehicle will carry payloads of up to 50 kilograms on behalf of commercial operators such as telecommunications providers. The company has not given an expected date for its first journey into space, but noted that SkyLark L is "operationally ready for launch". Skyrora chief executive Volodymyr Levykin says sovereign UK launch capability is essential (Image: Syyrora) 'Granting a home-grown company, Skyrora, its launch licence is a major milestone for our space sector and our nation," said Rob Bishton, chief executive of the CAA. "Our work as the UK's space regulator is enabling the burgeoning launch industry to safely grow, bringing new jobs and investment with it.' It has been estimated that by 2030, the international market for launch, satellite, payload and space data services will be worth $1 trillion (£772 billion) annually. Scotland aims to capture about £4bn of this. "This launch licence isn't just one giant leap for Skyrora – it's a massive boost to the whole of Scotland and the wider UK's space sector," Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said. "Becoming the first British company to manufacture and send a rocket into space from the UK will be a hugely significant moment. I'm very proud that Scotland is at the forefront of such pioneering technology and I look forward to blast off from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland."
