Last night, Scottish newspaper The National announced:
LATE on Friday evening, this notice was circulated from representatives of Peter Mandelson, via press regulator IPSO and the Press Association news wire, to all media across the UK.
In it, Mandelson uses clauses of the Editor’s Code most typically associated with grieving families or those suffering harassment from the press to urge journalists to stop scrutinising his links to the most world’s most notorious paedophile.
We believe it is strongly in the public interest to publish this memo. This is it in full:
CONFIDENTIAL – STRICTLY NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Ipso has asked us to circulate the following advisory:
Ipso has today been contacted by a representative acting on behalf of Peter Mandelson.
Mr Mandelson’s representatives state that he does not wish to speak to the media at this time. He requests that the press do not take photos or film, approach, or contact him via phone, email, or in-person. His representatives ask that any requests for his comment are directed to [REDACTED]
We are happy to make editors aware of his request. We note the terms of Clause 2 (Privacy) and 3 (Harassment) of the Editors’ Code, and in particular that Clause 3 states that journalists must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist, unless justified in the public interest.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any Code issues on [REDACTED] or out of hours on [REDACTED].
FETLOR Youth Club hosted the first FetLor Futures awards ceremony this week celebrating the outstanding achievements of its young members.
At the special event at the charity’s North Edinburgh club house, 23 young people received awards for demonstrating exceptional dedication and commitment across a range of programmes.
The awards were presented by Major General Robin Lindsay CBE, General Officer Scotland, who joined the celebrations to recognise the hard work and achievements of FetLor’s young people.
The young people received completion awards for the club’s Climbing Programme and Outward Bound, while others were recognised with Youth Achievement Awards for their commitment in supporting others. In a significant milestone for the club, two members achieved their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The awards ceremony marked an important moment in FetLor Youth Club’s 102-year history as it continues in its mission to support young people in Scotland’s capital.
Based in north Edinburgh, FetLor Youth Club is Scotland’s oldest youth club and welcomes around 330 young people each week.
The club provides opportunities and support to help members develop skills that will have a lasting impact as they continue their life’s journey. Since launching the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, the club has enrolled 14 young people in Bronze and Silver Awards, with three candidates working towards their Gold Awards.
Dr Richie Adams, FetLor’s Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly proud of our members’ achievements over the last year.
“This awards ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their dedication and the positive impact these programmes have had on our members personal development.
“We can only deliver our services thanks to all those who generously fund our charity. Their support helps our young people achieve their potential.”
Major General Robin Lindsay, a supporter of FetLor for a number of years, added; ”These awards are the outcome. The real benefit is taking part, building resilience and developing confidence.
“All the young people and their families should feel very proud.”
Commission publishes recommendations for a fairer and more effective justice system
Scotland must rethink its approach to sentencing and imprisonment according to the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission.
The Commission’s report highlights that Scotland consistently has one of the highest prison population rates in Western Europe and without significant reform, the current justice system is neither sustainable nor effective.
Following its year-long review, the independent Commission has made a broad range of recommendations including:
Acting early to resolve lower-level issues without going to court and increasing the use of alternatives so people can access support before offending escalates. This also shortens delays and improves how victims experience the justice system
Prohibiting ineffective short custodial sentences under 12 months and instead promoting more effective community-based approaches to prevent reoffending and support rehabilitation
Increasing the use of higher quality community sentences with greater flexibility, use of technology, unpaid work opportunities and more discretion for social workers
Improving rehabilitation in prison and releasing long term prisoners at two thirds of their sentence with increased supervision and support in the community to help them build new, crime-free lives
Long-term planning to realise the ambition of reducing the prison population to a level in keeping with the European average which would be around 5,775 prisoners in Scotland
Commission Chair Martyn Evans said: “This is a critical moment for Scotland, with a record high prison population and a Justice system under pressure. It is time for that to change. Our Commission report sets out ambitious recommendations to deliver system-wide reform.
“Prison should be for serious and dangerous offenders, not for people who need help, support or simply a second chance. We need to choose a different path – one that uses imprisonment more wisely, reduces reoffending and strengthens community responses.
“Our report addresses the full journey through the justice system, from prevention and early intervention through to sentencing, rehabilitation and reintegration into communities. At every stage, our focus has been on what works to rehabilitate and reduce harm, improve lives and strengthen public safety.
“We have listened carefully to the victims and survivors of crime who want to feel safe in their homes and their communities. Reducing reoffending and preventing crime is the surest way to achieve that goal. Our report also considers the need for victims to have clear information, trauma-informed support and protective measures like non-harassment orders, where appropriate.
“Our report sets out key areas where the next Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament will need to focus on delivering change and investing in solutions. Courage is needed for fundamental reform, not simply to continue coping with a crisis.
“By transforming our justice system, we can create a fairer and more effective society for all of us.”
Councillors in Edinburgh were not allowed to debate a Green motion at Thursday’s full council meeting due to concerns over the latest UK Government guidance around proscribed organisations.
Instead, Green Councillors withdrew the motion following pressure from other political parties who demanded that there should be no discussion – citing fear of arrest under anti-terror legislation.
The motion, prompted by people undertaking hunger strikes to protest their treatment in prison, stated that the Council “opposes the curtailing of human rights, intimidation, discrimination and victimisation of those currently imprisoned as a result of opposing genocide”, and “expresses concern for the health, wellbeing and human rights of prisoners who have undertaken hunger strikes”.
Due to concerns that being seen to provide moral support for a proscribed organisation – now classed as a terrorist offence – could open the entire Council to a criminal offence charge, the Lord Provost took the unusual step of changing the Council meeting process to remove the opportunity for debate.
However, both the Labour and Conservative groups proposed that the motion should instead be withdrawn, citing fear of risk of arrest from individual councillors.
Cllr Alys Mumford, who was due to move the motion, said: “If we needed any further proof that Labour’s obsession with cracking down on protest has gone too far, it is this.
“We’ve already seen countless protestors criminalised and arrested for peacefully holding pieces of paper, and now elected members of Scotland’s capital city are prevented from even discussing a motion highlighting important issues of human rights.”
Cllr Mumford continued: “Just yesterday we saw pro-Palestinian activists in Bristol being cleared of aggravated burglary, with lawyers instead comparing them to Suffragettes for their actions to protest UK involvement in the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
“This should highlight the ludicrous nature of anti-terror legislation being used in this way by the UK Government. For Councillors to be unable to discuss whether or not we agree with the UK Government is antithetical to everything we are supposed to uphold as a nation of free speech and democracy.”
In withdrawing the motion, co-convener of the Green Group Chas Booth said: ““Lord Provost, thank you, reluctantly our group has made the decision to withdraw the motion at 8.1 on the agenda.
“We understand from advice that the motion is competent as re-drafted and we have been advised the risk of considering the motion is very low. However, we appreciate that there are individual councillors in other parties who are uncomfortable with the situation, and we feel a duty of care towards our colleagues.
“We regret that the council is facing this situation, and we remain concerned about the impact on democracy and freedom of speech message.”
Speaking about the withdrawal, Cllr Mumford said: “This motion was simply meant to be a way to express our support for human rights, and for the ongoing plight of people being mistreated in UK prisons.Instead, it has descended into a surreal conversation about what we can and cannot say within the City Chambers.
“We hope that – despite being unable to say what we want to during the meeting – this situation will serve to highlight the fight of the hunger strikers for humane treatment, and make people think twice about the ramifications of restricting the rights to protest in the UK.”
SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY FESTIVAL – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!!
As many of you know, we run this event on passion, community spirit, and a shoestring but this year the funding challenges have been extreme. So much so that, for the first time, we’re facing the very real possibility that the festival might not be able to go ahead.
To give us the best chance of keeping it alive, we’ve introduced a tiered cost for stalls, ranging from a heavily discounted £80 up to £250 depending on the size of your organisation.
This structure lets smaller groups stay involved while asking those with more resources to chip in a little extra to support the wider community.
If you’re taking a trading or community stall, we’re encouraging everyone who can to select the £150 payment. That contribution genuinely makes a difference to whether the festival can run. But if £80 is what’s manageable for you, please know that it’s still hugely appreciated, your presence matters just as much.
We’re doing everything we can to protect this festival and the space it creates for local makers, groups, and neighbours.
Your support, in whatever form you can offer it, means the world.
Thank you for sticking with us and for being part of what makes this festival special.
Community Councils, have you signed up for our next free webinar yet?
On 25th February at 6pm we welcome Scottish Government Local Governance Review team who will be providing an update on Democracy Matters policy development.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions on the process and next steps.
Community Councils can register for this free event using the link below:
The CCC AGM will take place on Monday 23rd February at 6pm in the Centre. Non-members are very welcome to attend, if you would like to hear the reports and know more about the organisation, but you can’t vote.
If you live in Corstorphine you might like to become a member and be involved in how the organisation is governed. The Hub is owned by the community, through CCC members, so being a member really makes a difference.
Details of how to join and an application form can be found on the CCC website, and paper copies of the form can be found at the reception desk at the Hub.
Higher entries rising but still below pre-pandemic levels: Higher entries in French, German and Spanish have risen for the second consecutive year, 5,885 to 6,110, (4 per cent) but remain 16 per cent below 2019 levels, with French down 31 per cent and German down 24 per cent
Strong foundations at primary and S1: 99 per cent of primary schools are now teaching languages and the proportion of S1 learners studying more than one language has jumped from 52 per cent to 63 per cent over the last year
Multilingual classrooms: Teachers reported over 100 different home and heritage languages spoken in responding secondary schools, from Polish and Ukrainian to Arabic and Urdu, while home and heritage language exam provision has increased from 29 per cent in 2024 to 36 per cent in 2025
Spanish retains top spot: Spanish remains the most popular language for qualification across the senior phase in Scotland
Structural barriers increasing: Classes do not run in 59 per cent of responding local authority secondary schools if numbers are too low (up from 52 per cent last year), with over a third of the secondary schools (35 per cent) now requiring a minimum of 10 pupils (up from 25 per cent).
Uneven access: Over 70 per cent of schools in the most deprived areas report classes not running due to low numbers, compared to 50 per cent in the most affluent areas
Scotland has the foundations for a multilingual success story, but a new British Council report published today (Thursday 5 February) warns that growing barriers in secondary schools could threaten future progress.
The new Language Trends Scotland report highlights strong language teaching in primary schools and rising numbers of senior pupils sitting language exams. But it reveals that structural barriers from minimum class sizes to timetabling constraints are increasing at secondary level.
Conducted by Queen’s University Belfast, the report surveyed 169 local authority primary schools, 114 local authority secondary schools and 12 independent schools across 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.
At primary level, 99 per cent of responding schools are teaching languages, with one in five embedding language learning into daily classroom routines. This could reflect the impact of Scottish Government’s 1+2 language policy, which aims to give all children the opportunity to learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue, starting from Primary 1. Teachers say the two biggest challenges for primary languages remain teacher confidence and finding time in the curriculum.
The vast majority of responding primary schools (89 per cent) have learners for whom English is an Additional Language. Primary schools report that home and heritage languages are actively included and celebrated through cultural events, language ambassador programmes, and multilingual books in classrooms and libraries.
In the early years of secondary, the proportion of S1 learners studying more than one language has increased from 52 per cent in 2024 to 63 per cent this year. French is taught to all learners in 81 per cent of responding schools at S1, and Spanish to all learners in 49 per cent of schools.
There are also positive signs at S4, when pupils start to make choices about subjects and typically sit National 5 qualifications, with fewer schools reporting a declining uptake: 22 per cent compared to 35 per cent last year.
Entries for French and Spanish have increased at National level, with Spanish retaining its position as Scotland’s most popular language for qualification. However, German entries have declined by nine per cent since last year. For Highers, exam entries in French, German and Spanish all increased, with combined entries up four per cent since 2024 (from 5,885 to 6,110).
However, this growth is from a low base. Higher entries in modern languages remain 16 per cent below pre-pandemic levels (7,255 in 2019 compared to 6,110 in 2025). Advanced Higher entries are down 25 per cent over the same period (1,200 in 2019 compared to 895 in 2025).
Despite rising entries, structural barriers are increasing, the report finds that classes do not run in 59 per cent of responding local authority secondary schools if there are not enough learners, up from 52 per cent last year. Over a third (35 per cent) of schools now require a minimum of 10 pupils for a class to go ahead, up from a quarter (25 per cent) last year.
Teachers described timetabling constraints and finding time within a crowded curriculum as key challenges to providing high-quality language learning. In 54 per cent of responding secondary schools, timetabling prevents some learners from taking a language. Over a third (36 per cent) of responding secondary schools report that recruitment of qualified language teachers is an issue, though this has improved from 41 per cent last year.
These barriers are not evenly distributed. Over 70 per cent of schools in the most deprived areas report classes not running due to low numbers, compared to 50 per cent of schools in the most affluent areas. Schools in more affluent areas are also more likely to offer German at qualification level, of the 35 schools offering National 5 German, 24 are in the two most affluent quintiles.
Where schools struggle to maintain languages at senior phase, some are turning to further education partnerships. Learners in 38 per cent of local authority secondary schools with Higher and/or Advanced Higher provision are taking Edinburgh College classes online to access language qualifications their own school cannot offer.
Provision for heritage language qualifications has increased at secondary level, with 36 per cent of local authority secondary schools now facilitating exams in home or community languages, up from 29 per cent last year.
A further 19 per cent enable pupils to sit these exams elsewhere. Schools collectively offer qualifications in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Polish, Russian and Urdu alongside the main European languages.
The findings come as the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Scottish Languages Bill in June 2025, giving Gaelic and Scots official status. Higher entries for Gaelic (Learners) increased this year from 50 to 70 entries.
For the first time, the report explores the use of AI and apps in language teaching. In secondary schools, 8 per cent of responding teachers use AI regularly for lesson preparation, assessment and class activities, with a further 58 per cent using it occasionally.
At primary level, adoption is lower, with 47 per cent of teachers reporting they do not yet use AI, being unsure of what it can do. Teachers describe AI use as exploratory, using it to create texts and comprehension questions.
According to the survey, 66 per cent of responding secondary schools plan international trips, and the proportion of schools with international partner schools has increased to 28 per cent, up from 23 per cent last year, while over a third of schools engage with cultural institutes including the Confucius Institute, Goethe-Institut and Institut français.
Claire de Braekeleer, Director of British Council Scotland, said:“At a time of global uncertainty, language skills are not a luxury, they are an essential. Learning a language opens doors, builds bridges, and fosters the kind of cultural understanding that our world urgently needs.
“This report shows we have strong foundations in Scotland to build on. At the British Council we are committed to working with education and public sector partners to address barriers, champion language learning, and equip the next generation with the skills to connect, collaborate, and compete globally.”
Dr Ian Collen, who co-led the research at Queen’s University Belfast, added: “As AI accelerates, human language becomes indispensable.
“Machines can automate, but they can’t create the cultural understanding or human connection that languages ignite. For Scotland’s young people, languages are gateways to opportunity and a voice in our fast-changing world.”
Language Trends Scotland forms part of the wider Language Trends series which covers all UK nations. The series began in 2002 with Language Trends England, with annual surveys in Wales since 2015, biennial surveys in Northern Ireland since 2019, and annually in Scotland since 2024.
The report is being launched at the Institut Français d’Écosse on 5 February as part of Languages Week Scotland, bringing together educators, policy makers and practitioners to discuss the findings and share examples of good practice from schools across Scotland.
Following reports that the Scottish Government’s proposed spending plans will cut funding to community organisations doing vital work across Edinburgh, Ian Murray, the MP for Edinburgh South, wrote to the Shona Robinson, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, at the end of January to urge her to reverse the decision.
A reply from Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, confirmed that the Scottish Government have now agreed to transitional funding of up to a year for affected groups (as reported by NEN last week– Ed.).
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, said:“While this transitional funding is welcome, it’s not enough – all it really does is delay the financial cliff edge facing local organisations who are supporting some of our most vulnerable communities.
“The financial pressures Kate Forbes mentions in her reply are completely of the SNP’s own making – a result of their mismanagement of the public finances over the last 19 years.
“The UK Labour government has provided the Scottish Government with an additional £10.3 billion in resources since coming to power. Where has the money gone?
“I am in touch with those affected by this locally and will continue to do all I can to support them.”
