Seeing red: Flynn’s fury and monarch’s portrait

SUNAK IN FRESH ATTACK ON SNP

Rishi Sunak listed Scottish nationalism among the “dangers” faced by the UK during a controversial speech in London.

He began by highlighting a list of growing threats from war, terror and authoritarianism promoted by Russia, Iran, North Korea and China and criticised what he called “extremists” and “aggressive fringe groups” who were spreading antisemitic and antiMuslim views.

Then he said: “Scottish nationalists are even trying to tear our United Kingdom apart.”

There was an angry response from Aberdeen MP, Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, who said: “The prime minister demeans himself by making such a puerile comparison. What a way to spend your last few months in office.”

U-TURN OVER MEN’S SHED FUNDING AXE

There was anger when it emerged the successful Scottish Men’s Shed Association faced having its funding axed. So much anger, in fact, the Scottish Government performed a U-turn and agreed to back the leading charity.

The SMSA has established scores of sheds in communities where men can take part in activities and enjoy the company of others – all designed to improve mental health and reduce social isolation.

KING’S PORTRAIT DIVIDES OPINION

The first official painted portrait of the King since the coronation was unveiled at Buckingham Palace.

The work by renowned artist Jonathan Yeo features a searing red canvas on which a butterfly lands on the shoulder of the monarch. It split opinion with some critics describing it as adventurous and others as a mess – but the King himself seemed happy with the painting.

HIGHLAND POTHOLES SPARK FURY

A bus tour operator claimed his business was being devastated by waist-deep potholes at remote Cape Wrath in the Highlands. Stuart Ross has had to cancel all his bookings until the end of the high season in June because of the state of the U70 road in Sutherland. The route runs through a Ministry of Defence bombing range, with one local councillor saying it looks like the MoD “has missed its targets”.

Mr Ross, who insists he has spent more than £60,000 on his business in the past two years, is demanding compensation from Highland Council.

SHARP FOOTFALL DROP IN ABERDEEN

Campaigners and councillors were in a lather after learning that at least half a million fewer people have visited Aberdeen city-centre since new bus gates were installed last year.

A group of local figures claimed the “shocking” statistic provides more evidence that bus gates and other measures were damaging the city centre.

Councillor Marie Boulton (pictured) was among those to share her frustration, saying people were nervous about travelling into the main shopping district for fear of being fined.

The drop in footfall has occurred after the introduction of bus gates banning most traffic around Market Street, Guild Street and Bridge Street. It also coincides with a £3 million windfall in bus lane fines for Aberdeen City Council.

GOOD NEWS FOR YOUNG DONS

It has been a tough season for their senior counterparts, but Aberdeen’s Under-18s capped a memorable few days with a dramatic recovery as they defeated Celtic 3-2 in their final league match before lifting the CAS Under-18s Elite League Trophy.

The young Dons sealed the title with goals from Fletcher Boyd and Findlay Marshall against Rangers and Boyd’s weekend got even better when the 16-yearold capped his first-team debut with a goal against Hibs.

The teenagers were given the chance to play at Pittodrie and, despite trailing Celtic 2-0 with just five minutes left, pulled off a magnificent fightback through Joseph Teasdale’s brace in stoppage time.

NEW NATIONAL PARK TO BE CREATED

The Scottish government reaffirmed proposals to establish a new national park by the end of the current parliamentary session in 2026.

The move was part of the powersharing deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens which was recently scrapped by former First Minister Humza Yousaf, but his replacement, John Swinney, indicated the selection process was continuing as planned.