As Mandelson case exposes the risks of using US company Palantir for health data, how Nicola Sturgeon’s government made sure it didn’t happen in Scotland two years ago

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. In the Guardian today: Labour should halt public contracts with the US tech company Palantir, opposition politicians have said, amid growing concern at the lack of government transparency over dealings with the company and Peter Mandelson. Since 2023, Palantir has secured more than £500m in contracts with the NHS and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), while it employed Global Counsel, the lobbying firm founded by Mandelson. Emails released by the US Department of Justice show Mandelson sought help from Jeffrey Epstein to find “rich individuals” as clients. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/05/calls-to-halt-uk-palantir-contracts-grow-amid-lack-of-transparency-over-deals In August 2024, the BMJ warned: … Continue reading As Mandelson case exposes the risks of using US company Palantir for health data, how Nicola Sturgeon’s government made sure it didn’t happen in Scotland two years ago

SNP-led Highland Council unable to prevent English drug gang invasion will use Scottish planning laws to stop UK Government from settling 300 asylum seekers in Inverness barracks

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The plague of County Lines drug gangs, based in English cities, bringing with them increased drug deaths, extreme violence, prostitution, child abuse and general crime, is well-known in Highland Region, if not well-reported by ther news agency many of them pay a licence fee for. Today, we read from BBC Highlands & Islands: Planning rules could further delay Home Office moves to house about 300 asylum seekers at a military base in Scotland, it has emerged. MSPs Fergus Ewing and Edward Mountain say under Scottish law, Highland Council would need to … Continue reading SNP-led Highland Council unable to prevent English drug gang invasion will use Scottish planning laws to stop UK Government from settling 300 asylum seekers in Inverness barracks

Scottish Labour – Not just friends of paedophiles but by far the most actual sex offenders, including 5 paedophiles, convicted since 2007

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Two Scottish Labour MSP, Anas Sarwar and Pam Duncan Glancy, both long-term friends of known paedophiles, but the problems run far deeper at Scottish Labour. Based on extensive searches [100 web pages and posts] across web sources and X posts, the Scottish Labour Party has had the most individuals (primarily councillors) reported in the media as convicted sex offenders since 2007. This includes at least five confirmed convictions for child sex offences [in order above]: In comparison: Note that media reports often focus on allegations or charges rather than solely convictions, but “sex offenders” typically … Continue reading Scottish Labour – Not just friends of paedophiles but by far the most actual sex offenders, including 5 paedophiles, convicted since 2007

Creating opportunities for care experienced young people today – important news from FM getting no coverage as election looms

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. As far as I can see, no sign of this major Scottish Government announcement being covered beyond the ‘Midlothian View.’ The announcement did take place in Edinburgh. More good news for the SNP not wanted in these months before an election? This is no accident. It’s bias by omission. Projects that support the education and wellbeing of care experienced children and young people will receive a share of £9.5 million this year, First Minister John Swinney has announced on the sixth anniversary of The Promise. The Care Experienced Children and Young … Continue reading Creating opportunities for care experienced young people today – important news from FM getting no coverage as election looms

Surely that should be Anas Sarwar to face questions after John Swinney calls for investigation into Mandelson

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Who on earth wrote that headline? Anas Sarwar’s spad? John Swinney will be answering questions on this: The Promise is a landmark report which followed Scotland’s Independent Care Review, which set out a long-term commitment to transform the care system for children and young people. but the idea that this has anything to do with Mandelson is utterly bizarre. Are they trying to associate Swinney with Mandelson and to deflect from Anas Sarwar? There have been equally bizarre, slimy, attempts by a Labour MP to draw Swinney into the mire, because … Continue reading Surely that should be Anas Sarwar to face questions after John Swinney calls for investigation into Mandelson

Last year, inspectors raised Scottish nuclear plant with proven excess child leukaemia risk to an ‘enhanced level of regulatory attention for safety because of unsatisfactory site performance across numerous areas’ and today we hear UK Government buried ‘200 containers of radioactive waste’ there

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. In the National today: UK Government buries ‘200 containers of radioactive waste’ The location is the Dounreay nuclear site in Scotland. From the Chief Nuclear Inspector’s annual report on Great Britain’s nuclear industry October 2025, page 28: In July 2024, we increased NRS Dounreay to an enhanced level of regulatory attention for safety because of unsatisfactory site performance across numerous areas: the current condition of a number of site assets (such as buildings, electrical systems, steam systems); management and compliance with various aspects of conventional health & safety legislation (such as COMAH and … Continue reading Last year, inspectors raised Scottish nuclear plant with proven excess child leukaemia risk to an ‘enhanced level of regulatory attention for safety because of unsatisfactory site performance across numerous areas’ and today we hear UK Government buried ‘200 containers of radioactive waste’ there

10 countries already routinely issue iodine tablets to those near nuclear facilities but with the highest cancer rates in world, Scotland, dependent on Westminster, cannot

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. From and Ontario-based news website, nsauga, two days ago, the above and: With potassium pills distributed to residents living in the shadow of one of Durham Region’s two nuclear plants in 2015 set to expire, a batch of replacement pills will be sent to all those living within 10 kilometres of either Pickering or Darlington nuclear generating stations. The initiative, a partnership between Ontario Power Generation, the Durham Health Department and Toronto Emergency Management, will provide residents living near the nuclear stations with replacement potassium iodide (KI) pills. These pills will … Continue reading 10 countries already routinely issue iodine tablets to those near nuclear facilities but with the highest cancer rates in world, Scotland, dependent on Westminster, cannot

How many current Scottish Labour MPs and MSPs are followers of Lord Mandelson’s dark arts?

Please Support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. In the Daily Record 14 September 2025: Imogen Walker – the wife of the Prime Minister’s under-fire chief of staff Morgan McSweeney – was made an influential Commons whip along with colleague Gregor Poynton. It has emerged that in June, Mandelson – who has been sacked US ambassador over his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – attended a fundraiser for Hamilton and Clyde Valley MP Walker and Livingston MP Poynton. “Imogen and Gregor are known to be on the right of the party and it’s no surprise they seem also to be in the Mandelson inner circle. … Continue reading How many current Scottish Labour MPs and MSPs are followers of Lord Mandelson’s dark arts?