Latest news with #Nats
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Moaning Scot Gov civil servants in fresh quit threat over working in office just TWO DAYS a week
Scroll down to read some of the civil servants' moans SHIRKING FROM HOME Moaning Scot Gov civil servants in fresh quit threat over working in office just TWO DAYS a week Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHINING civil servants have threatened to quit and boasted about being able to pet their cat amid moves to cut working from home. The fresh round of moaning comes as Nats chiefs demand they return to the office for just two days a week. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 3 Workers shared their gripes in messages unearthed by Scottish Tories from the Scottish Government's internal messaging site Viva Engage. Credit: Getty 3 Some claimed that coming back in to work could hamper them having a family or getting a pet, Credit: Getty Grumbling penpushers also raised concerns about staff who had moved to England thanks to work-from-home rules. They also highlighted the benefits of being able to stand up and smell the fresh air. Just weeks ago The Scottish Sun revealed how civil servants demanded the reopening of a long-shuttered swimming pool at a government office and a pay rise over cutting their days at home. Others claimed coming back in to work would hamper them having a family or getting a pet, while others suggested their human rights may be breached. In new messages, unearthed by Scottish Tories from the Scottish Government's internal messaging site Viva Engage, officials continued griping. One bragged not being in the office allowed their 'furry little HR advisor' to 'check in on me in the morning' — attaching an image of their cat. 3 New messages reveal the whinges of civil servants Another said: 'I know some colleagues who don't actually live in Scotland any more, so are they going to still be WFH full time? 'They are not going to travel up from England a few times a week to come into the office are they?' Stephen Kerr, employment spokesman for the Scottish Tories, slammed the fresh batch of complaints. He said: 'Hardworking Scots will give short shrift to civil servants throwing their toys out the pram about having to go back to the office. 'If that is all it takes for some to say they will leave, then you question what value they were adding to workforce productivity anyway.' Woke Scottish Government staff demanded POOL & pay rise to return to office for just TWO days a week We told earlier this month how top civil servant Joe Griffin - now on a £180,000 salary - was blasted for moaning about his long working days He also joked to a colleague about being distracted from playing the video game Tetris.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
John Swinney at centre of fresh secrecy row after SNP's deleted Covid WhatsApp scandal
Scroll down to find out more about the latest row WIPE OUT John Swinney at centre of fresh secrecy row after SNP's deleted Covid WhatsApp scandal JOHN Swinney is at the centre of a fresh secrecy row over the use of an app that automatically deletes content after five days. A decision by the First Minister to allow the Microsoft Teams instant messaging service for Scottish Government business is being probed by Scotland's transparency watchdog. Advertisement 3 First Minister John Swinney Credit: Michael Schofield 3 Nicola Sturgeon was among those who deleted their WhatsApp messages Credit: PA It comes after Nats chiefs faced a huge backlash for scrubbing WhatsApp messages during Covid. Critics blasted the latest tech move and said it provides a 'deliberate loophole'. Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: 'The SNP need to come clean on this state-sponsored automatic deletion of messages and why it is still being allowed. 'It looks as though a deliberate loophole has been left in place to allow senior figures to avoid scrutiny over key decisions. That is typical of this sleekit and secretive SNP government who only announced this apparent change in policy after already deleting Covid-related messages on an industrial scale.' Advertisement Information Commissioner David Hamilton confirmed the SNP's use to Teams messages forms part of an ongoing probe. He said: 'This issue is currently subject of my investigation into how messaging apps are used in Scottish Government. It will be helpful to understand the rationale for such a short retention period and how compliance with any policies will be assured. 'Both will form part of my enquiries.' In their new guidance, Nats chiefs say MS Teams chat is the 'core messaging functionality' of their internal system, allowing civil servants to 'message, call, screen share' others in the organisation. Advertisement Ministers say the chat function can be used for 'general day-to-day activities' with colleagues external stakeholders, as well as and 'urgent work communications'. It is also allowed to be used with 'ministerial support or advice', including when ministers are in the Holyrood chamber. Damning screenshots expose Jason Leitch's 'pre-bed WhatsApp ritual' during pandemic as SNP bosses branded 'shameful' Civil servants and ministers can use the chat function for 'communication of urgent work issues' out of normal hours. The change in rules means messages on government business, including advice to ministers or key discussions among senior civil servants, could be auto-deleted — potentially undermining any future inquiries into scandals. Advertisement It comes after Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes reconfirmed last month the ban on WhatsApp on government phones. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon deleted Covid WhasApps despite telling Scots on TV that she would hand all of them over. We told how mountains of messages between key ministers, including Ms Sturgeon, her successor Humza Yousaf, and Mr Swinney showed they joked about deleting the messages to avoid publishing them through transparency rules. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government's approach to Microsoft Teams is similar to the approach taken by UK Government departments. Advertisement 'Microsoft Teams is a corporate system which operates under the direct control of the Scottish Government and in line with its published policies in respect of records management. Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director, also angered Covid bereaved groups for saying deleting his WhatsApps was a 'pre-night' ritual. We also revealed in October how the UK's chief medical officers rallied round disgraced adviser Catherine Calderwood after her lockdown-busting trip to Fife, also revealed by The Scottish Sun. 3 Jason Leitch was at the centre of the covid WhatsApp row Credit: Andrew Barr
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scandal-hit Ferguson Marine may build two new Scots ships in hopeful bid to secure future
It comes just days after MSPs urged Nats chiefs to 'urgently' invest in the yard 'SHIP-SHAPE DEAL' Scandal-hit Ferguson Marine may build two new Scots ships in hopeful bid to secure future Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCANDAL-hit Ferguson Marine is weighing up a bid to build two new ships for the Scottish Government in order to secure its future. Bosses at the nationalised shipyard have been alerted to the need for replacement marine protection and research vessels. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Bosses at Ferguson Marine are weighing up a bid to build two new ships in a bid to secure its future Credit: Alamy It comes just days after MSPs urged Nats chiefs to 'urgently' invest in the yard, which is at risk of closure through a lack of fresh work. Ferguson chief financial officer David Dishon, pictured, said: 'We have registered our interest and await details of the tender before deciding whether or not to bid.' Ministers are looking to replace MRV Scotia, used to assess fish stocks, and MPV Minna, which combats illegal marine activity. Both were built by Ferguson in 1998 and 2003. We told last week how the yard has won work to build three structural units for a Type 26 Destroyer being assembled by BAE in Glasgow. Previous similar work has yielded around £7million. Tory transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: 'The SNP's gross mismanagement since they took control of the yard leaves it at a clear disadvantage in any bidding process.' Government procurement quango CMAL recently handed a £175million seven-ship small ferries replacement contract to a yard in Poland. Ferguson, based in Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, had bid for the work. It has no full vessel contracts after the second of two delayed Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, MV Glen Rosa, is delivered next year. Glen Rosa ferry finally launched from Ferguson Marine shipyard The cost of her and sister MV Glen Sannox has spiralled from £97million to around £400million. Lib Dem Scottish affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said: 'A revolving door of well-paid executives has done little to turn around fortunes, while the SNP are handing contracts to Poland rather than supporting Clyde shipbuilding.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'MPV Minna and MRV Scotia are reaching the end of their operational lifespans. This early market engagement is part of a planned renewal programme. We are finalising specifications.'
Chicago Tribune
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Fired Nationals GM Mike Rizzo wants to buy a thank-you round for fans in DC before Home Run Derby
WASHINGTON — Fired Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo wants to buy a round for fans at two sports bars in Washington before Monday's All-Star Home Run Derby. Rizzo posted on social media Friday an extended thank you to fans, which included an offer to buy a 'Round on Riz' over a couple of hours before the Home Run Derby in Atlanta. Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired Sunday with the last-place Nationals headed for a sixth consecutive losing season since winning their first World Series in 2019. The moves came with the Nats holding the No. 1 pick in this weekend's amateur draft. Mike DeBartolo was named interim GM. Rizzo, 64, had been general manager since 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations four years later. 'From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every fan who has supported my goal to lead this franchise to greatness with integrity, honesty and professionalism,' Rizzo wrote. 'D.C. has become our home in every sense of the word and I could not imagine a better place to have done it all together than the nation's capital.' Rizzo, a Chicago native, was a three-sport athlete at Holy Cross High School in River Grove and played baseball at Triton College and St. Xavier, out of which the California Angels drafted him in 1982.
San Francisco Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Fired Nationals GM Mike Rizzo wants to buy a 'thank you' round for fans before Home Run Derby
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fired Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo wants to buy a round for fans at two sports bars in Washington before next week's All-Star Home Run Derby. Rizzo posted on social media Friday an extended 'thank you' to fans, which included an offer to buy a 'Round on Riz' over a couple of hours before Monday's Home Run Derby in Atlanta. Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired Sunday with the last-place Nationals headed for a sixth consecutive losing season since winning their first World Series in 2019. The moves came with the Nats holding the No. 1 pick in this weekend's amateur draft. Mike DeBartolo was named interim GM. Rizzo had been general manager since 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations four years later. 'From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every fan who has supported my goal to lead this franchise to greatness with integrity, honesty and professionalism,' Rizzo wrote. 'D.C. has become our home in every sense of the word and I could not imagine a better place to have done it all together than the nation's capital.'
