Mark Mcgivern

Glasgow City Council spent £20 million on hotels and bed-and-breakfast accommodation for homeless people during the first three months of the financial year, 20% above its recent quarterly average. Housing campaigner Sean Clerkin warned that poor-quality accommodation, high rents and a shortage of social housing were worsening the crisis, while projecting annual temporary-accommodation costs above £80 million. Glasgow reported 9,210 people in temporary accommodation, including 5,867 refugees, and Scotland had more than 18,092 households in temporary housing. The council highlighted plans for more than 6,000 affordable homes, while Shelter Scotland said the spending reflects the wider housing emergency and urged the Scottish Government to provide more support.

Anthony Adams deceived the family of motorbike crash victim Josh Crawford by posing as Josh’s close friend and inventing claims about his final words and an unborn child. He was invited to act as a pallbearer and allegedly failed to hand over £2,000 raised for the family, later receiving a six-month prison sentence for the deception. Josh’s mother Margaret and sister Afton have spoken publicly about the lasting distress caused by Adams and warned others to avoid him, citing his history of impersonation and scams.

Barack Obama’s upcoming October 14 appearance at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro has drawn criticism from poverty campaigners because Ticketmaster tickets cost nearly £400 for some seats, while VIP packages with a photograph cost up to £1,877. Resellers on Viagogo were offering tickets bought for £55 at £173 and £400 tickets at £660, prompting concerns that ordinary Scots are being priced out. The event is part of Obama’s UK and Ireland tour and will focus on hope, resilience and the future, taking place as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence.

Turning Point Scotland says its 16-bed residential drug stabilisation service in Glasgow will close in October after a dispute over rent increases and repair costs with City Property, whose rent reportedly rose from £65,000 to £131,000 a year. The nearby crisis centre will move to the site and come under Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership, but the change will replace residential provision with a community-based model and remove intensive treatment capacity. Turning Point says the transition is rushed and financially unsustainable, while the HSCP says services will continue without an intended gap. Public Health Minister Maree Todd expressed concern but said the Scottish Government could not intervene in the contractual dispute.

Trans campaigner Sophie Molly says they will use multiple female toilets on August 5 to protest new guidance requiring public bodies to organize single-sex toilets and other facilities according to biological sex. The guidance follows a UK Supreme Court ruling and an Equality and Human Rights Commission code of practice. For Women Scotland criticized Molly's proposed action as potentially intimidating, while Molly argued the code applies to businesses rather than service users and said the protest would demonstrate that the rules are unworkable. The report also revisits Molly's past clashes with J.K. Rowling and the Scottish Greens, as well as controversy over a crowdfunding campaign for partner Heather Herbert's procedure.

Sir Chris Hoy hopes his children, Callum and Chloe, will better appreciate the honour of having Glasgow’s velodrome named after him when they revisit it during the Commonwealth Games. The six-time Olympic champion plans to attend as many events as possible, take part in the opening ceremony and watch weightlifting, a sport connected to his own intensive strength training. Hoy also praised National Lottery funding for supporting his cycling career and said he expects the Games to be a major success.

Sir Chris Hoy hopes his children better appreciate the honour of having Glasgow’s velodrome named after him when they revisit during the Commonwealth Games. He reflects on their earlier visit when they were too young to grasp his achievements and expresses excitement about sharing Games events with them. Hoy highlights his involvement in the opening ceremony, credits National Lottery funding for supporting his career, and notes his interest in attending weightlifting events due to his background in strength training.

Sir Chris Hoy has urged Scots to bring the same enthusiasm shown by the Tartan Army at the football World Cup to the scaled-down Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. He believes Glasgow’s hospitality, public support and world-class facilities can reproduce the success of the 2014 Games despite a smaller programme, fewer venues and a budget of about £150 million. Hoy will participate in the opening ceremony, provide track-cycling punditry and attend other events. He also credited National Lottery funding with enabling his Olympic cycling career and discussed his work raising awareness of terminal prostate cancer and supporting cancer charities through the Tour de Four.

University of Aberdeen worker Heather Herbert is facing scrutiny from the university, Police Scotland and the Scottish Greens after posting a message expressing satisfaction at Ann Widdecombe’s death and previously wishing her an agonising death. The Daily Record reports that Herbert also shared an AI-generated image of partner Sophie Molly in military clothing with rifles in the background, directed at gender-critical campaigners Helen Joyce and Graham Linehan. Women’s-rights campaigners have accused Herbert and associates in an Aberdeen-based polycule of promoting violent rhetoric, citing a separate video in which Poppybear Hackett referred to using bullets against people who do not show love to transgender people. Police Scotland has reopened inquiries into Herbert’s posts, while Widdecombe’s death is being investigated as a possible terrorist killing.

University of Aberdeen web developer Heather Herbert is under investigation after posting that the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe was “good news” and expressing hope that she suffered before dying. Herbert had also appeared on a YouTube discussion linked to the Polycule, where Poppybear Hackett said people who do not show love to trans people should be “shown bullets.” For Women Scotland and Women Won’t Wheesht condemned the remarks and alleged a broader pattern of abusive statements by Polycule members. The Scottish Greens are investigating Herbert, Police Scotland is making additional enquiries, and the university has stressed that his comments do not represent it. Widdecombe’s death is separately being investigated by terrorism police following the arrest of a 28-year-old man.

Right-wing blogger Craig Houston says police seized his drone, phone, laptop, camera and storage cards after detaining him at Edinburgh Airport under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The devices contained footage of anti-immigration demonstrations in Glasgow and Edinburgh featuring blackshirt imagery, while police may also examine messages and other material for evidence of racist, homophobic or transphobic content. Houston denies organising the protests and questions whether terrorism legislation was misused. The demonstrations and related disturbances have been linked to online misinformation, alleged two-tier policing and attacks or protests outside private homes. Police, politicians and community figures have urged people not to target individuals or act on unverified claims.

Anthony Brennan, a Scottish conman also known as Anthony Adams, has used the US website Get Ordained to obtain bogus ministerial credentials and now advertises services including exorcisms, baptisms, funerals, marriages and premarital counselling. The Daily Record links this latest venture to a history of scams targeting pensioners, young footballers, workers and a bereaved family. Brennan previously deceived blind ex-serviceman Bill Mackie into believing he was an Interpol agent, sending Mackie and his wife on a 9,000-mile trip to Tanzania and obtaining Mackie's Army medals. Brennan admitted fraud at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and was ordered to complete community payback, undergo 12 months of supervision and repay £397 for the medals.

Sandy Chugg, a former leader of Rangers' Inter City Firm, is identified in footage of black-clad, military-style gatherings in Edinburgh and Glasgow that promote anti-immigration views and resemble historical fascist parades. Far-right blogger Craig Houston broadcast the videos and denied organizing the events, while acknowledging his participation and documentation of them. Tommy Robinson amplified the footage, and campaigners from Football Lads and Lasses Against Fascism and Stand Up to Racism warned that the demonstrations could be an effort to build a far-right street movement. Chugg has denied being an organizer but admitted taking part; Houston did not respond to questions from the Daily Record.

Sandy Chugg, a former leader within Rangers’ Inter City Firm, has a long record involving football hooliganism, far-right politics, drug dealing and violence. He was jailed for dealing LSD and temazepam in 1990, received community service for possessing a stun gun in 2000, and had a lifetime ban from Ibrox lifted in 2011. Although he later presented himself as reformed and became involved in an anti-sectarian youth football initiative, he was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and participating in a mass brawl involving Rangers and Wigan supporters in Glasgow in 2019.

The article presents opposing views on whether Scotland supporters should back England after Scotland’s World Cup exit. Mark McGivern argues that supporting England is not a Scottish obligation and backs the underdog, DR Congo, while describing “Anyone But England” sentiment as a normal feature of Scottish sporting identity. Fraser Mackie supports England, arguing that anti-English hostility has become distasteful and can make English family members and children feel unable to show their national identity. Both perspectives reflect the longstanding cultural and sporting rivalry between Scotland and England, with the debate shaped by national identity, family ties and different interpretations of football banter.

A Daily Record investigation identifies Scots Active, led by Darren Docherty, as the group behind a far‑right anti‑immigration protest in Glasgow marked by Nazi salutes and harassment of minorities. Despite publicly denying racism, the group runs a WhatsApp channel sharing extremist content and has been banned from TikTok. Scots Active and allied groups, including LJ’s Security Street Team and North2South, have conducted street patrols and spread anti‑immigrant rhetoric, amplified by figures such as Tommy Robinson. Political and community leaders, including MSP Paul Sweeney and Stand Up to Racism’s Mohammed Asif, condemn the groups as dangerous and openly racist, urging continued support for inclusivity in Glasgow.

Tartan Army supporters returned to Scotland after a three-week World Cup trip in the United States, saying the journey was worth the expense despite Scotland's poor performances and early elimination. Fans described warm connections with American communities in Boston and Miami, with some expecting the visit to encourage future tourism and cultural exchange between the United States and Scotland. Supporters expressed mixed views on Steve Clarke stepping down, while many looked forward to Scotland rebuilding before the next World Cup.

A Scottish man detained in a Spanish immigration centre faces prolonged uncertainty over his deportation due to an expired passport, overstaying rules and an unresolved assault allegation he denies. Held in difficult conditions with no legal aid and limited information, he fears being stuck indefinitely while authorities await a judicial decision. The British Consulate is offering support, while Spanish authorities have yet to comment.

Mark McGivern argues that the Competition and Markets Authority’s £900,000 fine against StubHub UK for hidden surcharges is negligible compared with the profits made from ticket touting. He criticizes the CMA’s lenient treatment of StubHub and Viagogo, recalls previous consumer-law breaches, and says weak enforcement has strengthened the case for a legal ban on profiting from ticket resales. McGivern also condemns the UK government’s decision to present the proposed ban only as a draft bill, warning that lobbying by major resale platforms may have diluted the measure. He calls on Labour figures, including Andy Burnham, to make tackling ticket touts a political priority.

Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive jailed for embezzling party funds, and convicted killer Alexandria Stewart may be held at HMP Dumfries after Scotland agreed to move biological males out of the female prison estate. For Women Scotland campaigner Susan Smith welcomed Stewart’s transfer and questioned whether the two prisoners could share a cell, while criticizing Nicola Sturgeon’s previous position on transgender prisoners. The change followed UK Supreme Court and Court of Session rulings that the existing policy was unlawful. First Minister John Swinney said immediate steps would be taken to comply, while the Scottish Prison Service declined to discuss individual placements.

The column argues that J.K. Rowling and For Women Scotland have prevailed in the legal dispute over whether sex or gender identity defines a woman. It highlights Supreme Court and subsequent Scottish prison-related victories, Rowling’s offer to fund legal action by women who say they were unlawfully exposed to danger, and cases involving transgender prisoners. The writer urges the Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service to immediately move biological males out of women’s prisons and guarantee women-only safe spaces.

Jayney Sutherley says she is relieved after Lady Ross ruled that Scottish Prison Service guidance allowing trans-identified male prisoners to be housed in women's prisons is unlawful. Sutherley had been prosecuted for allegedly misgendering Alexandria Stewart, but was cleared after the sheriff found Stewart was legally a man. For Women Scotland brought the judicial review and welcomed the ruling, while the Scottish Prison Service said it would consider the judgment with the Scottish Government. Sutherley and campaigners argue that placing male prisoners in women's facilities created fear, intimidation and unequal conditions, while the decision is expected to require changes to Scotland's prison policy.

Scotland World Cup veterans Alan Rough, Paul Lambert, Lou Macari and Colin Hendry urge Steve Clarke's team to secure at least a draw against Morocco. They believe Scotland has already done much of the hard work by beating Haiti and could reach the knockout stage for the first time, creating a lasting legacy for the players. The former internationals emphasize focus, resilience and taking advantage of the pressure on Morocco, with Rough suggesting even a single point could become one of the most significant results in Scottish football history.

Scottish consumers describe severe problems after buying used cars online, including a £26,000 Range Rover Velar with collapsing suspension and a Honda CR-V with dangerous mechanical faults. A Consumer Scotland investigation found that 53% of surveyed buyers experienced a problem and 29% suffered harm, while 32% of sampled complaints involved purchases from English traders. The watchdog is calling for stronger licensing, clearer information about consumer rights and warranties, and easier routes to redress, with the Scottish and UK governments and several regulators urged to act.

Craig McNab, a prominent figure in anti-immigration protests in Falkirk, is identified as a man previously convicted of assaulting his partner while wielding a ceremonial sword and later convicted of producing cannabis. The report links him to a masked mob that surrounded and verbally abused female motorists. It also describes wider unrest in Glasgow, including injuries to police officers, damage to police vehicles and worshippers sheltering in a mosque, alongside arrests in Greenock. The protests followed a knife attack in Belfast, for which Sudanese refugee Hadi Alodid has been charged with attempted murder, and further demonstrations are planned across Scotland.

Scottish football supporters Kenny Smith and Ivan Ralph received expedited US visas after their ESTA travel waivers were unexpectedly cancelled, allowing them to travel for Scotland’s opening World Cup match against Haiti. The cancellations had forced fans to incur thousands of pounds in extra travel and consular costs, with some fearing they would miss the tournament. Intervention by Scottish and UK officials, alongside publicity from the Daily Record, helped secure emergency visa decisions. Hundreds of Tartan Army members are believed to have been affected, amid concerns that tougher US immigration controls contributed to the sudden ESTA changes.

Falkirk has become a focus of anti-immigration protests outside the Cladhan Hotel, attracting figures linked to far-right activism. Reform councillor Claire Mackie-Brown and campaigner Julie Reilly are identified as prominent participants, with Mackie-Brown previously photographed at a Homeland Party demonstration and Reilly gaining attention after a video targeting the BBC was shared by Tommy Robinson. The article also links the Scottish Freedom Patriots and Voices For Falkirk to protests and online messaging portraying asylum seekers and Black men as threats, warning that the demonstrations are drawing increasingly extremist elements.