Age old problem

THE atmosphere was sombre in Holyrood during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

Business had been suspended the day before when the full horror of events in Westminster emerged.

Nicola Sturgeon offered tributes and answered a slew of questions about safety in Scotland once proceedings got back under way.

Her 72-year-old SNP colleague, Christine Grahame, sought to lighten the mood, therefore, by suggesting she should declare an interest when asking about the ageing population.

The MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale called for a minister for older people, but said she didn’t want the job. This was charitable considering the older persons brief is included in Social Security Secretary Angela Constance’s role.