Libby Brooks
libbybrooks.bsky.social
Libby Brooks
@libbybrooks.bsky.social
Guardian Scotland correspondent
contact: libby.brooks@theguardian.com
insta: @libbyjbrooks
extracurricular: books, hills, standing stones, gingerbread, Labradors
Pinned
“We didn’t take the bait” - a month after Elon Musk amplified anti-immigration misinformation about Lochee, I returned to Dundee to find out how locals have responded

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘We didn’t take Elon Musk’s bait’: community spirit shines on in Dundee’s Lochee despite billionaire’s comments
Musk amplified anti-immigrant misinformation about a local arrest, but the Dundee town is focusing on inclusivity
www.theguardian.com
‘For the first time, she could tell people who she was’: Ireland’s gender recognition decade

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘For the first time, she could tell people who she was’: Ireland’s gender recognition decade
Ireland’s 2015 Gender Recognition Act was born in an era of optimism and consensus, but as gender-critical activism grows so does debate whether it can hold
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:33 AM
I first met the Doweys in April last year and remain in awe of their courage and tenacity. Now they are taking on the multimedia hiant Meta over the death of their son Murray

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Parents of sextortion victim sue Meta for alleged wrongful death
Exclusive: Lawsuit is the first UK case of its kind, with Ros and Mark Dowey accusing Meta of ‘putting profit before our young people’
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW Parents of Murray Dowey, the Dunblane teenager who took his life after being blackmailed on Instagram, sue Meta for alleged wrongful death www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Parents of sextortion victim sue Meta for alleged wrongful death
Exclusive: Lawsuit is the first UK case of its kind, with Ros and Mark Dowey accusing Meta of ‘putting profit before our young people’
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Christmas came early for me this year when I got to spend time on set of the Two Doors Down festive special

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
‘People were in tears on set’: the emotional return of word-of-mouth sensation Two Doors Down
The outrageous Scottish sitcom became a sleeper hit – then its co-creator died tragically. Ahead of its festive special, the stars open up about the show’s poignant comeback
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Lovely stuff on Stanley Baxter from Mark Lawson

‘Astonishing’: how Stanley Baxter’s TV extravaganzas reached 20 million

www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
‘Astonishing’: how Stanley Baxter’s TV extravaganzas reached 20 million
The Scottish star used his exceptional gift for impersonations to create genre-mashing specials that were as epic as the Hollywood films they parodied. He was a perfectionist performer with huge talen...
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I'm so interested to follow the progress of Australia's social media ban - this is a useful catch-up on the first few days from @joshtaylor.bsky.social who has also done some fascinating work talking to kids and parents

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Australia’s social media ban launched with barely a hitch – but the real test is still to come
The policy to cut off social media access for more than 2 million under-16s remains popular with Australians, while other countries look to follow suit
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Nurse to appeal against ‘hugely problematic’ trans changing room ruling

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Nurse to appeal against ‘hugely problematic’ trans changing room ruling
Sandie Peggie won harassment claim but tribunal dismissed claims of discrimination and victimisation
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Sandie Peggie’s lawyer confirms she will be appealing the “highly problematic” tribunal decision - Peggie herself says “I won’t be giving up the fight anytime soon”
December 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Analysis: what does the Peggie case mean for those trying to apply the supreme court ruling?

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Trans doctor changing room case: does it amount to a bathroom ban?
Some businesses still waiting for final EHRC guidance while firms that moved early to exclude trans people show no sign of backtracking
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Storm Bram = wet dog
December 9, 2025 at 9:26 AM
‘It’s Scotland’s energy’: SNP to focus on renewables in Holyrood election

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘It’s Scotland’s energy’: SNP to focus on renewables in Holyrood election
Leader John Swinney says independence could cut household energy bills by a third in the long term
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Scottish nurse Sandie Peggie wins part of her tribunal in trans doctor changing room case www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Scottish nurse wins part of her tribunal in trans doctor changing room case
Sandie Peggie wins harassment claim but tribunal dismisses allegations of discrimination and victimisation
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
SNP leader John Swinney launching ‘It’s Scotland’s energy’ campaign - after screening a new film contrasting how Norway & UK managed their oil wealth, he says only voting for independence in next May’s Holyrood elections will ensure the country benefits from renewable energy resources
December 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Linguists start compiling first ever complete dictionary of ancient Celtic

www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Linguists start compiling first ever complete dictionary of ancient Celtic
More than 1,000 words used as far back as 325BC to be collected for insight into past linguistic landscape
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Rules on single-sex spaces pose risk to trans people’s mental health, UK charities say

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Rules on single-sex spaces pose risk to trans people’s mental health, UK charities say
Fifteen organisations sign letter expressing deep concern over EHRC guidance being considered by ministers
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:05 AM
“This turnaround is a hammer-blow to the self-image of a country that sold itself as uniquely welcoming to migrants, but now finds some are as susceptible to anti-immigration rabble-rousing as anywhere else”

@danigaravelli.bsky.com on Reform UK’s road to Falkirk

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Nigel Farage was once run out of Edinburgh. Now Scottish voters are embracing his rabble-rousing | Dani Garavelli
The Reform leader is exploiting growing resentment towards migrants and hosting a sold-out event - something unimaginable just a few years ago, says freelance columnist Dani Garavelli
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM
My report from Falkirk on a day of audience exuberance and unanswered questions

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage dodges press as he unveils Reform’s first peer after Conservative defection
Party leader leaves latest recruit, Malcolm Offord, to field questions on antisemitism allegations at Scotland rally
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Libby Brooks
With a quarter of Scots voting Reform, and asylum protests in Scotland, first minister John Swinney says he will defend migration, engage with pressures and isolate prejudices in the SNP 2026 election campaign
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
John Swinney defends immigration as Scotland faces rise of Reform
Exclusive: First minister mounts robust defence of diversity as SNP prepares campaign for Holyrood election in May
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I’m at the Cladhan Hotel, Falkirk ahead of the Reform UK rally happening nearby later. Anti-immigrant protesters are already gathering - one group of women say the mood in the town is ‘sadder and angrier’ since a hotel resident appeared in court on sexual assault charges earlier this week
December 6, 2025 at 11:10 AM
NEW: “During my lifetime Scotland has become a much more diverse country. I’m very proud of that”

Scotland’s first minister John Swinney explains why the country needs migration as Reform gather support ahead of next May’s Holyrood elections

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
John Swinney defends immigration as Scotland faces rise of Reform
Exclusive: First minister mounts robust defence of diversity as SNP prepares campaign for Holyrood election in May
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Brazil
December 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I do love a bourbon - but Ed Miliband's ASMR on SMR is the hands down winner in Labour social media this month

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour MP’s video explaining UK debt with biscuits racks up 3.3m views
Glasgow South MP Gordon McKee leading trend as politicians find traditional ways to reach voters no longer work
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Keir Starmer has described Nigel Farage as “a toxic, divisive, disgrace” this evening - he was responding on a visit to Glasgow after the Reform UK leader said the fact nearly one in three pupils there speak English as a second language amounted to the "cultural smashing” of the city
December 4, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Swinney defends review of grooming gangs evidence in Scotland at FMQs as Tories and Labour call for full inquiry - politics live

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Record £9m gift to Reform prompts renewed calls for cap on political donations – UK politics live
Electoral Reform Society says large donations from wealthy individuals makes it ‘harder for the rest of us to get our voices heard’
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Schools urged to trial four-day week to ease pressure on teachers in England and Wales - after Scottish government announced proposals for teachers to be able to work a “flexible” teaching week

www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Schools urged to trial four-day week to ease pressure on teachers in England and Wales
Advocacy group tells education secretary ‘working smarter’ can protect staff wellbeing and help students
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM