Fiona Hyslop, Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Jim Mather. By the Editor Crocodile tears rolled down the faces of a number of members of the Scottish Parliament today when it was announced that The Buteman, the local newspaper for Argyll and Bute, had closed.  Green MSP John Finnie told parliamentarians that they would have heard … More SNP DECISION WAS MORTAL BLOW TO NEWSPAPERS

By Bill Heaney An A for achievement. That’s what is appearing in the report cards of the education system in our schools, according to Education Secretary John Swinney. He was replying to questions from Tory leader Ruth Davidson while standing in at Holyrood for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who was in Normandy for the D-Day … More COMBINED CLASSES CAUSE CHAOS IN OUR SCHOOLS, CLAIM

We have been given an insight into the SNP (and West Dunbartonshire Council) thinking on their ban and boycott of The Democrat. It seems that in my capacity as editor, I come across as someone who is bitter about this boycott and as a consequence my “reasonable filter” has all but disappeared. Rather than producing … More BILL HEANEY’S NOTEBOOK COLUMN

Social work UNISON members agree to suspend strike action By Democrat reporter UNISON met with West Dunbartonshire Council last week following on from “our tremendous industrial action ballot result” announced a day later on May 28. These further discussions led to a firm offer of concrete proposals to begin to address the substantive issues contained … More COUNCIL DISPUTE NOT YET FULLY RESOLVED

Natalie McGarry jailed for £25,000 fraud, including £750 from food bank McGarry, 37, took more than £25,600 from pro-independence organisations. By Democrat reporter STV News is reporting that former SNP MP Natalie McGarry has been jailed for 18 months after embezzling more than £25,600. The 37-year-old admitted taking the cash from pro-Scottish independence organisations between … More EX-SNP PARLIAMENTARIAN JAILED FOR 18 MONTHS

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I have just been informed by Police Scotland that due to the lack of evidence they will not be proceeding any further with the fraud & corruption allegations against the three senior Council Officers of West Dunbartonshire, brought by a whistleblower. I would like to thank the Police officers … More POLICE DROP COUNCIL FRAUD INQUIRY