Latest news with #Scotcast
The National
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Alba leader slams 'pointless' calls to ban Kneecap from Scottish festival
MacAskill, a former Scottish justice secretary, insisted there had been a 'kneejerk reaction' to Kneecap's comments, adding that calls to have them banned from the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow are 'utterly pointless'. He claimed on the BBC's Scotcast the band are being targeted for being outspoken on the actions of Israel in Gaza and what they said on stage in November 2023 was a 'throwaway comment'. A video emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show a member of the group saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' John Swinney said Kneecap should be cut from the TRNSMT line-up on the back of the comments, saying they had 'crossed a line'. READ MORE: Kneecap break silence amid calls to prosecute and cut from TRNSMT But MacAskill said the reaction to the clip had been 'ludicrous'. He said: 'I think it's a kneejerk reaction to Kneecap, I think it's utterly pointless. 'The band have issued an apology for what was a throwaway remark some two years ago taken entirely out of context. 'There was a time when I grew up when people were calling for the banning of the Beatles because of things they had said relating themselves to being bigger than Jesus Christ or whatever. We've moved on from there, they've apologised for it, said it wasn't to be taken in the context that had been put forward, so let them get on with it. 'This is just ludicrous.' MacAskill said the 'real wrong' was the actions of Israel in carrying out a genocide in Gaza, which Kneecap has consistently called out. (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus) The Alba leader went on: 'This is two years ago, no one was expressing outrage two years ago. What has happened since then is not just that Kneecap have exploded in terms of getting the band's profile, but they've been very outspoken regarding the genocide that's taking place in Gaza. 'People seem outraged about Kneecap having mentioned that throwaway line and yet Britain is facilitating genocide in Gaza, kids are dying by the score on a daily basis. 'I think I know where the real wrong is and the real wrong is what is being perpetrated by Israel, not a remark by the band Kneecap several years ago.' When it was suggested to him there are other views on what is happening in Gaza, MacAskill criticised the BBC's coverage of Israel's assault on the enclave. He said: 'There are not alternatives to what is going on in Gaza. Let's be clear, there is a genocide in Gaza, that is fully accepted and documented. 'That is why the BBC has been getting into disrepute with its failure to call out Israel's action and the reason Kneecap is getting focus now is because they have been outspoken, they are capturing a generation of young people who are also appalled at a genocide that is taking place within their lifetime. 'So this is about closing down arguments about actions of Israel. Nothing to do with the throwaway remark.' READ MORE: Politicians want to cancel Kneecap – but stay silent on Chris Brown playing Hampden In a statement posted on X, the Belfast group – Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – said they 'reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. The band said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and condemned all attacks on civilians, apologising to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, saying 'we never intended to cause you hurt'. They said a video extract had been deliberately taken out of context and was being 'exploited and weaponised'. The band's gig at the Eden Project scheduled for July has been cancelled following the emergence of the footage.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Laura Goodwin named as new Reporting Scotland presenter
BBC Scotland's innovation correspondent Laura Goodwin has been named as a new lead presenter on Reporting appointment follows the departure of Sally Magnusson after 27 years in the Goodwin will start presenting the news programme alongside Laura Miller in South African-born journalist joined the BBC in 2018 and has covered stories from Scotland's business and academic community. Laura, who moved to Scotland at the age of 12, said she was "delighted" to start presenting the programme. "To take over from Sally Magnusson, someone I hold in such high regard, is an incredible honour," she said."On a personal note, this is an opportunity that, as a once very shy little girl, I could only have dreamt of and I am looking forward to getting started."Gary Smith, head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, said: "Laura is a brilliant addition to the Reporting Scotland team. "She is a consummate professional who presents with authority, flair and grace. A great journalist and interviewer too, who gets straight to the heart of a story." Laura studied at Madras College in St Andrews before pursuing a degree in sociology at the University of starting her broadcast career at Moray Firth Radio in Inverness, she moved to STV in Aberdeen as a presenter and will take up her new role on Reporting Scotland presenting on Thursdays and Fridays from appointment comes after BBC Scotland recently launched two new titles: News at Seven presented by Laura Maciver and Amy Irons, and podcast series Scotcast with Martin Geissler.
The National
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Kenny MacAskill defends Kneecap after 'kill your MP' video
MacAskill, a former Scottish justice secretary, insisted there had been a 'kneejerk reaction' to Kneecap's comments, adding that calls to have them banned from the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow are 'utterly pointless'. He claimed on the BBC's Scotcast the band are being targeted for being outspoken on the actions of Israel in Gaza and what they said on stage in November 2023 was a 'throwaway comment'. A video emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show a member of the group saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' John Swinney said Kneecap should be cut from the TRNSMT line-up on the back of the comments saying they had 'crossed a line'. READ MORE: Kneecap break silence amid calls to prosecute and cut from TRNSMT But MacAskill said the reaction to the clip had been 'ludicrous'. He said: 'I think it's a kneejerk reaction to Kneecap, I think it's utterly pointless. 'The band have issued an apology for what was a throwaway remark some two years ago taken entirely out of context. 'There was a time when I grew up when people were calling for the banning of the Beatles because of things they had said relating themselves to being bigger than Jesus Christ or whatever. We've moved on from there, they've apologised for it, said it wasn't to be taken in the context that had been put forward, so let them get on with it. 'This is just ludicrous.' MacAskill said the 'real wrong' was the actions of Israel in carrying out a genocide in Gaza, which Kneecap has consistently called out. (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus) The Alba leader went on: 'This is two years ago, no one was expressing outrage two years ago. What has happened since then is not just that Kneecap have exploded in terms of getting the band's profile, but they've been very outspoken regarding the genocide that's taking place in Gaza. 'People seem outraged about Kneecap having mentioned that throwaway line and yet Britain is facilitating genocide in Gaza, kids are dying by the score on a daily basis. 'I think I know where the real wrong is and the real wrong is what is being perpetrated by Israel, not a remark by the band Kneecap several years ago.' When it was suggested to him there are other views on what is happening in Gaza, MacAskill criticised the BBC's coverage of Israel's assault on the enclave. He said: 'There are not alternatives to what is going on in Gaza. Let's be clear, there is a genocide in Gaza, that is fully accepted and documented. 'That is why the BBC has been getting into disrepute with its failure to call out Israel's action and the reason Kneecap is getting focus now is because they have been outspoken, they are capturing a generation of young people who are also appalled at a genocide that is taking place within their lifetime. 'So this is about closing down arguments about actions of Israel. Nothing to do with the throwaway remark.' READ MORE: Politicians want to cancel Kneecap – but stay silent on Chris Brown playing Hampden In a statement posted on X, the Belfast group – Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – said they 'reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. The band said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and condemned all attacks on civilians, apologising to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, saying 'we never intended to cause you hurt'. They said a video extract had been deliberately taken out of context and was being 'exploited and weaponised'. The band's gig at the Eden Project scheduled for July has been cancelled following the emergence of the footage.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Laura Goodwin joins Reporting Scotland's lead presenting team
BBC Scotland's Innovation Correspondent Laura Goodwin will join Reporting Scotland as a lead news presenter alongside Laura Miller, following Sally Magnusson's recent departure after 27 years in the role. The South African born broadcast journalist - who moved to Scotland at the age of 12 - joined the BBC in 2018 as Innovation Correspondent. Since then, Laura has reported on the creativity and ingenuity of Scotland's business and academic community, most recently covering the approval of a spaceport in Shetland. Laura says: 'I am delighted to be officially joining the Reporting Scotland presentation team after six years working as a correspondent for the BBC. To take over from Sally Magnusson, someone I hold in such high regard, is an incredible honour. I look forward to sharing the week, and the Reporting Scotland desk, with the wonderful Laura Miller, delivering the stories that matter to our audience. 'On a personal note, this is an opportunity that as a once very shy little girl, I could only have dreamt of and I am looking forward to getting started.' Gary Smith, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland, says: 'Laura is a brilliant addition to the Reporting Scotland team. She is a consummate professional who presents with authority, flair and grace. A great journalist and interviewer too, who gets straight to the heart of a story.' A former student of Madras College in St Andrews, Laura went on to study Sociology at the University of Edinburgh. Having started her broadcast career at Moray Firth Radio in Inverness, Laura then moved to STV in Aberdeen as a presenter and reporter covering key new stories including the opening of the Queensferry crossing, the new V&A museum and the Scottish independence referendum Laura will take up her new role on Reporting Scotland, presenting on Thursdays and Fridays from next month (May 2025). Laura's appointment is the latest to come from BBC Scotland's news and current affairs portfolio which recently launched two new titles, News at Seven (presented by Laura Mciver and Amy Irons) and podcast series, Scotcast with Martin Geissler. JM2
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
River City stars protest soap's cancellation at Scottish Parliament
Scotland's creative industries will suffer a "massive blow" unless the BBC reverses a decision to cancel soap opera River City, stars of the show have claimed.A number of actors from the programme were at the Scottish Parliament to hear a motion to save the show, which is due to end next Purdon, who has played Bob (previously 'Shellsuit Bob') in the show since it began, told BBC Scotland News the programme served as a pipeline for talent who could otherwise be lost to the Scotland announced the decision to axe the soap last month, citing changes in audience behaviour away from long-running series. Past and present cast members - including Frank Gallagher, who played crime boss Lenny Murdoch, and Gary: Tank Commander star Scott Fletcher - held placards up outside Holyrood protesting the cancellation, before sitting in the parliament to listen to the motion, brought by Labour MSP Neil Bibby. Purdon, the only remaining original cast member from its 2002 launch, said the show was important for off-screen talent it nurtured as well as those on screen, emphasising the programme's training academy - which teaches participants through classes and said: "It's the only Scottish show that is constant throughout the year, and it's not just on screen. "It's what goes on behind the scenes, like the training academy – it's a pathway into the industry for people who maybe don't otherwise have connections."A BBC spokesperson said training opportunities with River City would remain active until April 2026. BBC Scotland previously said it would increase total investment in drama over the next three years with a focus on "world-class productions" that can be sold internationally. However Purdon said short-term productions would not be able to replicate the consistency of River City, and it would be a "massive blow to the industry" if the cancellation went ahead. He added: "A six-part drama isn't going to constantly be there. "It might be great for a short period of time, but for longevity, a show like River City is a conveyer belt [for talent]." Tom Urie, who was in the soap for four years from 2010 to 2014, told the BBC's Scotcast podcast the show was now "embedded into Scottish culture".He said: "As an actor living in Scotland, it's an accessible ambition to have. "If you look at something like Vigil, how would I ever get in that? But you look at River City, and you go maybe one day I'll get into River City because they'll want to do a story about a big guy trying to lose weight."It doesn't feel like something that'll be here for four months and then go away." The series, set in a fictional west of Scotland area called Shieldinch, is filmed on a specially-built set in Dumbarton and featured the likes of Outlander star Sam Heughan in early Blue singer Lorraine McIntosh, Scottish acting veteran Johnny Beattie and EastEnders actor Alex Ferns also took roles in the said he brought the motion in the hope it would encourage BBC Scotland to think again, and that he was particularly concerned over closure of the Dumbarton said: "River City has been a platform and a pathway for young creative talent in Scotland. It's really important we have that platform, and I hope the BBC think again and maintain this iconic soap." The Scottish government's culture secretary Angus Robertson said during the debate the decision to end River City was "more than regrettable" and that it displayed a "worrying trend in decision making that runs counter to the BBC's commitment to invest in the nations."Purdon admitted the cancellation would carry an emotional impact for him personally, said: "I'm 42 this year and I started when I was 19 so it means everything to me. I was there before I had my kids and now they see me on screen, so it's very important to me."
