15/05/2017 Reporting Scotland

On Election Reporting Scotland tonight.

It's all about Brexit tonight - the SNP say if they win in Scotland

it'll give them a stronger hand, something the Tories,

And we'll be in Moray - which was the most divided area

in last year's EU Referendum - to find out what issues

It's almost bedtime but not before we take you through Monday's events

on the election campaign trail in Scotland.

Today has been all about Brexit after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

told BBC Radio Scotland an SNP vote would strengthen her hand

Our Political Correspondent Glenn Campbell reports.

In Hamilton, Nicola Sturgeon is reviving an old song

for this election campaign, renewing an earlier call for the UK

An election gives an opportunity for people to back those proposals

so that whether you are for or against leaving the EU,

you can make sure the way in which we leave the EU doesn't

crash the Scottish economy and sacrifice thousands of jobs.

Nicola Sturgeon 's first proposed single market membership

as her bottom line back in December, when it became clear the UK

Government wasn't prepared to entertain her ideas she demanded

the power to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Theresa May rejected that call and has committed to taking

all of the UK out of the single market and negotiating

The Tories are not convinced the SNP wants those talks to succeed.

Nicola Sturgeon said she wants a place at the table negotiating

Brexit but she also says she wants to be out of the UK and in the EU

so it begs the question what side of the table does she want to be on?

At the weekend the SNP leader said if Scotland became independent

market as a staging post to getting back into the EU.

In a Borders butchers, the Liberal Democrats said voters

would not buy the SNP's approach to Brexit.

They are now selling out pro-Europeans in order to get

Brexiteers back on board, watering down the policy on Europe

Visiting a food bank in Glasgow, the Labour leader said the SNP's

position on EU relations was far from clear.

I think it is embarrassing for SNP on the issue of Europe,

Sometimes they say Scotland would have to apply to Europe,

sometimes Scotland would automatically stay,

other days we would go for the Norwegian example.

This is the First Minister's entire justification for a second

Today, she says the more immediate priority is getting a Brexit

deal that keeps Scotland in the single market.

So Brexit matters to politicians, but is it a major issue in this

Nowhere in Scotland was more divided on the subject than Moray where less

than 122 votes separated leave and remain in the EU referendum.

Our political correspondent Nick Eardley has been

in the constituency to find out how Brexit might impact

I am right on the north-east coast of Scotland, still a small

VOICEOVER: On the Scottish north-east coast, home of a famous

soup, and electric made up of different political voters.

Service personnel, agriculture, tourism, like here at the hotel,

Nobody knows what Brexit will be like.

Iain Watson voted remain, his view now?

We have got to make sure that we get the best resolution for everyone.

It is either going to be me, as MP, or it is going to be a Tory

who is going to give a blank cheque to Theresa May, I don't think

Given what the single market means to the economy of Moray.

We took a Whisky Trail to test the area.

In many ways, I would naturally support the Conservatives,

But this is driving me in other directions.

I was keen on leave, I remember the days when we were not

in Europe and we seemed to do well then.

Douglas Ross is campaigning, he will be hoping to appeal

to voters like Nigel, the SNP has a 9000 majority in 2015,

the top Tories think their message to voters is getting through.

We are concerned that the Scottish Nationalists will keep us out

of Westminster in an independent Scotland will go straight back

into Europe, majority of people who voted remain are also concerned

that their vote is taken as a proxy to hold another second divisive

Along the road, others are vying for Moray's vote as well.

We will fight this hard Brexit because he think it will be very

damaging to the economy, especially as Moray relies

upon exports in his food and drink industry.

We are the only party that can offer that other opportunity,

an opportunity to look at how we best fit in Europe long term,

and how we can remain in Scotland and in the UK.

And some more views on how Brexit will influence the vote here.

It is a bit of a mix up here, I have heard positive and negative.

Or will Moray turned Conservative blue?

There are five candidates standing in Moray.

Here they are and you can find details of all the candidates

standing in the General Election in every constituency

More from the campaign trail coming up, but first Catriona Shearer

How to deal with a growing number of elderly and disabled prisoners,

It's a problem the Scottish Prison Service is now trying

to address with a report to be published tomorrow.

One idea could be a secure old people's home where elderly

and infirm prisoners could be cared for while serving their sentence.

Our Home Affairs Correspondent, Reevel Alderson reports.

Behind barbed wire and high fences are those who have

forfeited their liberty because they have committed crimes,

This murderer serving 37 news will be 106 before

The number of older prisoners in Scotland has risen dramatically.

Most recent figures put it to almost 1,000, up

down to the increasing historical sex offenders in jail.

The figure is now 1100, 15% of the total prison population.

Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill says prisons are not

designed to home older prisoners, he says a secure old folks

It was never designed for septuagenarians

or octogenarians, so we need institutions able to look after them

It is better for them, for the staff and for other prisoners who have

to have their own challenging needs dealt with.

This prison has narrow stairs and bunk beds,

unsuitable for prisoners who would require social care

packages in the community because of disability or dementia.

Even modern jails with lifts built in are not geared up to deal

We have prison staff able to deal with prisoners,

but there is a gap in the middle for social care, which we

are currently having to fill with agency staff.

The cost in the current year for those agency staff something

The report says there is a case to be made that elderly or disabled

prisoners can be considered as a distinct population

After a frantic weekend of work to secure NHS IT systems,

the Scottish Goverment says it warned Health Boards in February

11 boards across the country were affected

One expert has warned the NHS in Scotland is vulnerable to future

attacks unless it invests far more in updating its systems.

The Scottish Government says it's looking at what lessons

A court's heard that a lawyer who handled Craig Whyte's takeover

of Rangers told him he'd be "mad" to do the deal.

Gary Withey told the High Court in Glasgow that he advised Mr Whyte

to walk away after being shocked about how little

financial information was provided by the sellers.

Mr Wyte denies acquiring Rangers by fraud in May 2011.

He denies a second charge under the Companies Act.

More than 500 people have signed a petition calling on NHS Shetland

to reverse plans to force patients to travel

by ferry for hospital appointments in Aberdeen.

As part of a cost-cutting measure, many patients face a 14-hour

overnight boat journey, instead of a 50-minute flight.

NHS Shetland is to hold a special meeting next week to decide

if the new travel policy should go ahead.

The number of empty shops in Scotland is at it highest level

The vacancy rate of 9.2% comes as figures

from the Scottish Retail Consortium suggest that footfall

in high streets and retail parks has increased,

although it has fallen in shopping centres.

Now to one of the key battlegrounds in the campaign.

Last week on this programme we heard from the Liberal Democrats,

who are targeting the constituency of Edinburgh West.

Today we sent our political correspondent Niall O'Gallagher

to look at how each of the candidates are doing

In the capital Scotland's political parties are looking west. The SNP

won here last time but their MP resigns amid allegations of fraud.

Michelle Thompson denies wrongdoing. Edinburgh West is now a top target

for the Liberal Democrats. We feel there is a move towards us and an

anti-SNP feel about the seat and people see us as the most likely

threat to the SNP. And they say the bigger issues are at stake. The SNP

candidate claims only they can stand between Scotland and the

consequences of leaving the single market. Edinburgh West voted to

remain in the EU but whether you voted to remain or leave, now it is

about getting the best deal for Scotland. And who will stand up for

Scotland in these negotiations with Brussels if not the SNP? Now more

than ever we need a strong opposition to Theresa May.

Conservatives seek their opponents have taken a wrong turn. People are

clearly what a change and the SNP generally is reducing, the on the

slides and I think that they are not clear of their position on a number

of questions, not least about the EU and whether we are to go back in or

not. They are confused on this and people are seeing through them now.

Legacy it is time to emerge from the constitutional maize and debate

local issues. That's right Labour say. People in this idiot had been

badly let down by Michelle Thompson and the SNP and need NNP -- the

people in this area the meet someone who's interested in jobs, health and

schools are not somewhat fighting for another independence referendum.

Margaret Maxie they want to keep the constitutional afloat. -- but the

group macro. Of Nicola Sturgeon wants to stand up for Scotland in a

seat the SNP cannot win the SNP must stand down so Scotland's referendum

party can fight the only viable independence option for this

election. Whoever is sent to Westminster by voters the winners in

Edinburgh West will claim a significant victory.

There are five candidates standing in Edinburgh West Here they are.

And you can find details of all the candidates standing

in every constituency on the BBC News website.

Joining me now is our nightly panel of politicians.

In Inverness we've got Lib Dem candidate Jean Davis,

in Dundee is the SNP candidate Stephen Gethins,

we've got Scottish Conservative candidate Miles Briggs -

who's also an MSP - in Edinburgh,

and in Aberdeen is the Scottish Labour MSP

Thank you for joining me. Let's start with Brexit, Stephen, is

Theresa May correct when she says a Tory landslide will strengthen her

hands with negotiations? Absolutely not an one thing the SNP has been

hands with negotiations? Absolutely doing in opposing the Tories is

scrutiny and let's not forget over the next parliament it will be

critically important we have got a strong voice for Scotland when

critically important we have got a negotiating our food and drink

industry, research, young person's opportunities and we cannot give the

Tories a blank cheque. The relationship we have with Europe and

the future will impact on everyone of us and it looks like she is

scared of parliamentary scrutiny and it strikes me she does not know what

scared of parliamentary scrutiny and she is doing.

If a strong majority does not stress in her hand why should it strengthen

Nicola Sturgeon's position on Brexit? This is about getting the

best deal for everybody. That is what Theresa May would also say.

Bill-mac and when you have been, but Bill-mac and when you have been, but

-- our European partners have said this election does not make a

difference to them and the UK Government is in a week situation.

If you have a Parliament if you bother having a Parliament then you

want one that questions the Government of the day and puts them

under scrutiny. That is why the SNP have been described as the effective

opposition to the Tory Westminster, we are asking difficult questions

and making proposals and that is something we need is across the UK

but in Scotland we have the benefit of having that effective opposition

to the Tories and the people asking the difficult questions of Theresa

May. Nicola Sturgeon said today voting

SNP would allow her to argue for a seat at the negotiating table. What

do she mean by that? If you look at the impact this will have, look at

universities... But what does she actually mean, does she want a seat

at the actual negotiating table? We should be part of the formal

negotiating team. That happens in should be part of the formal

other European countries when it comes to relationships with Europe.

That Scotland should have a seat at the negotiating table. Our research

institutions, food and drink industry, all these areas not a

priority for Theresa May but are a priority for the SNP.

What is the most important issue for the Lib Dems and this election? I

think both wrong hand in hand and side-by-side but instead of talking

about the Brexit, the SNP talk about a seat at the table but what they

are actually talking about is independence. We are strongly for

being in others close to Europe as possible and we are against

independence. Sort your 42nd Brexit referendum not a second independence

referendum? -- you are for a second referendum not a second independence

Brexit referendum. What we're talking about is asking people to

make a decision when they know what Brexit means. We have heard from

Theresa May Brexit means Brexit but that is meaningless and we need to

know what the outcome of the discussions she has with the EU are

and whether they are reasonable to us. We want to be in the single

market and in the customs union. But we need to wait and see what she

says and then people need to look at that and what it means to them and

their day-to-day lives. Bruce McDonald from the Labour Party, if

the SNP gets a massive majority McDonald from the Labour Party, if

Scotland is an Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister would he give her

that seat? It would certainly beat the nightmare Stephen has conjured

up. What we would want to see would be Jeremy Corbyn and your staff are

taking forward the chase for the be Jeremy Corbyn and your staff are

kind of Brexit that protect Britain's interests... But no seat

from Nicola Sturgeon in those talks? A Labour Government will engage all

the regional Government and seek to include them in the process and

bring them along to ensure what we are doing is negotiating and half of

the whole country but we can only do that if we win the election -- on

behalf of the whole country. We can only do that if we win the election.

What we need is a Government representing the whole country and

will go into talks with Europe in good faith, not what the SNP is

proposing what is somebody should be included in the negotiating team at

the same time they say we should have an independence referendum.

That makes no sense. The SNP got it wrong when they demanded the right

to hold another independence referendum because they then cannot

with any credibility is say they want to be part of the Brexit

negotiating team. It makes no sense. They should abandon their claim for

independence referendum if they They should abandon their claim for

seriously want to engage with an incoming Labour Government.

Scotland did not vote for Brexit so is it not important for Scotland to

have a voice protecting our interests and Nicola Sturgeon is

surely do the person who can deliver that? What I agree with Stephen and

is what is key is getting the best possible deal for Scotland and the

whole of the UK and it is clear from what we have heard from the other

candidates do not they have a programme for how they will do that.

Theresa May and the UK Government are moving far-off to deliver the

best possible deal for the whole country -- they are moving forward

and that is key for growth and future opportunities. Ruth Davidson

give a speech today emphasised the difference between patriotism and

nationalism. Is that not seeking to create the kind of divisions you

have spoken against? I think it was a good speech and what was striking

was how paratroopers is completely different to nationalism. In what

way? -- patriotism. You can be both Scottish and British and proud of

both and that is important and that was her message, people should be

proud of that and this election for a lot of people who voted no on for

too long have not been spitting up they will do. Stephen, is there a

difference between patriotism and nationalism? Ruth Davidson has some

brass neck, at the time that she's taking away opportunities for young

people and I were food and drink industry struggling and we do not

know about our research industry she hits out at the SNP and our

partnership which is sharing sovereignty over areas like working

together on climate change and in the single market, they are moving

away and turning their back on our partners which will have a huge

impact on jobs and the economy. Argue with the Tories or the SNP,

patriotism versus nationalism? Certain that neither the Tories nor

the SNP. We need to get away from all this flag-waving, whether

British Scottish. Neither makes any sense -- British are Scottish. What

I believe most people in Scotland voted for is to remain as close

together as possible and remain in the UK. Flag still not matter,

policies matter. We need to protect policies matter. We need to protect

-- we need to protect workers' rates and maintain a close relationship

with Europe and the idea we do that by having a referendum on leaving

the UK and casting off is absurd. It is interesting to listen to the SNP

the UK and casting off is absurd. It because an Edinburgh West they talk

about rejoining EU... Jean Davidson, one thing to ask you, all the

parties have done a bad job on one thing and that is getting young

people the vote, the number of school leavers registered to vote

has fallen by 35% in the past oh years. They do not seem to be

interested in anything politicians are offering. -- past four years. I

believe they have been disenfranchised by changes in the

voting system and we need to persuade them to go out and vote and

register. At the moment we have an election which is very important to

them, 75% of young people voted to stay in the EU, they need to make

some decisions in this particular election as well. We have to leave

it there. Thank you for your time. If you still haven't registered

to vote you have just seven days Just go the website

on your screen now. And that's Election

Reporting Scotland. Tomorrow on the campaign trail

Jeremy Corbyn launches Labour's manifesto, the Lib Dems will

be discussing business, the Tories will demand an end

to calls for a second independence referendum and the SNP

will celebrate 10 years So, join us again tomorrow night

at 10.30 for all of that Good evening. For most of us it was

a cloudy day and