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alastairbrian.bsky.social
Alastair Brian
@alastairbrian.bsky.social
180 followers 200 following 13 posts
Fact-checking @theferret.scot
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
“You're like, ‘oh my god, this is the first time in my life I've ever been arrested’”
www.theferret.scot/palestine-protests-activists-or-terrorists/
Gaza protestors across Scotland are waiting to know if they'll be prosecuted as terrorists – a photo essay
Photographer Rayna Carruthers has been documenting pro-Palestine protests in Scotland for two years, particularly in recent months, following the proscription of Palestine Action by the UK Government.
www.theferret.scot
November 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
Our journalism changes things.

For 10 years, we've held power to account in Scotland. Today: our fresh new look.

Same mission. Still digging.

Explore: theferret.scot
Join us tonight at Drygate Glasgow, 7:30pm 🎉
November 13, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
Same mission. Fresh look. Landing 13.11.25
November 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
📢 We've been nominated for a British Journalism Award for our environmental reporting.

Well done to @billybriggs24.bsky.social, @paul.theferret.scot
and @robedwards5.bsky.social 🎉

pressgazette.co.uk/press-gazett...
British Journalism Awards 2025: Finalists revealed
Press Gazette is proud to reveal the shortlist for the British Journalism Awards 2025, with links to all of the winning work.
pressgazette.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
alastairbrian.bsky.social
Our explainer on GERS has been updated to correct a section relating to income tax in Scotland, and a note has been added. Thanks to those who alerted us to the error.
theferret.scot The Ferret @theferret.scot · Aug 20
The GERS report is widely quoted by both sides of the independence debate. But what is it? What does it actually show? And what doesn’t it?
theferret.scot/expla...
Explained: Scotland's GERS controversy
GERS, which stands for ‘government expenditure and revenue Scotland’, is usually published at this time every year.
theferret.scot
August 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
alastairbrian.bsky.social
A power of work has gone into telling this knotty, extremely difficult story @theferret.scot

Superb stuff from @karingoodwin.bsky.social and Juliana da Penha.

theferret.scot/migrant-moth...
A teen took his own life in foster care. His migrant mother says cultural bias led to her family being ripped apart
A migrant mother says cultural bias in Scotland’s child protection system led to her family’s separation. Campaigners call for urgent reform.
theferret.scot
August 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🛠️ Our website is temporarily down for maintenance. We're working to get everything back up and running as soon as possible. Thanks for bearing with us!
June 18, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🔴 NEW: First minister John Swinney has been rapped by the UK statistics regulator for making a misleading claim about Scottish education, following a fact check from The Ferret.

Find out more: theferret.scot/john-...
June 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
First minister John Swinney claimed there has been a sustained fall in knife crime over the last 15 years. We looked at the statistics.

theferret.scot/claim...
Claim knife crime has reduced is Half True
Ferret Fact Service examines a claim from John Swinney on knife crime.
theferret.scot
June 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🔴 EXCLUSIVE: A far right group branded as neo-Nazi has been condemned for using children to promote its white nationalist politics ahead of the by-election in South Lanarkshire next week.

Read the full story: theferret.scot/neo-n...
May 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
At The Ferret, we believe transparency builds trust. That’s why we’ve just updated our transparency page with new details on funding, governance, and editorial independence.
Take a look: bit.ly/3KNLCbq
Transparency Data
As The Ferret is a cooperative, our members are also part owners of the project.
theferret.scot
April 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
Not one of the seven companies that own the most-read Scottish titles are incorporated in Scotland
theferret.scot/third...
April 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🔴 Whisky, oil and gas and salmon farming are some of Scotland's most powerful and influential industries. But who runs them?

We've taken a look 🧵

theferret.scot/whisk...
April 23, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
Amid job cuts and financial strain across Scotland’s universities, hundreds of senior staff continue to earn six-figure salaries. What role does high pay play — and who decides what’s justified?
theferret.scot/unive...
April 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🔴 Salmon farming industry leaders pressured a UK Government minister to serve more farmed salmon at government receptions, The Ferret can reveal.

theferret.scot/salmon-at-go...
Picture of a table with a plate of salmon and vegetables on it. The words 'Catch of the day: industry pressures government to serve farmed salmon' are overlaid on the image.
April 18, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🔴 Organisations with special powers to investigate the general public reported nearly 40,000 alleged crimes to the Crown Office in four years.

Read the full story 👉 theferret.scot/organ...
April 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
"The revolving door embeds a culture of groupthink, of chumminess and game-playing."

For Who Runs Scotland we investigated the revolving doors of influence between PR, politics and media.
April 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🔴 Open for business: Our latest Who Runs Scotland piece reveals the opposition MSPs who met most often with corporate interests.

theferret.scot/which...
April 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
🔴 Who’s lobbying Scotland? Fossil fuel giants, influential PR firms and the short-term lets industry are among the top lobbyists influencing the Scottish Government since John Swinney became first minister, The Ferret has found. theferret.scot/lobby...
April 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
So, Who Runs Scotland in 2025?

We'll be answering that question in our new month-long series, starting this Sunday.

theferret.scot/so-wh...
April 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM
alastairbrian.bsky.social
Come talk to us about Donald Trump's impact in Scotland, and get involved in The Ferret's AGM.
theferret.scot The Ferret @theferret.scot · Apr 1
How will Trump's second presidency impact Scotland?

We'll be discussing this at our special AGM event this Saturday in Edinburgh.

Tickets available ⤵️

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trump-20-w...
Trump 2.0: What Does It Mean for Scotland (plus AGM 2025)
Help shape The Ferret’s future as we prepare to celebrate our 10th anniversary!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 1, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
Self-harm at Scotland’s only private prison, Addiewell, has soared to nearly 600 incidents in under four years, sparking urgent concerns over safety.
Prison hall with text
February 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
The Ferret has been investigating how the 'culture war' is influencing Scotland and the UK.

We have mapped some of the connections between organisations across the world. 🌏

theferret.scot/mappe...
Mapped: The connections of the 'culture war'
An interactive map tracking the groups connecting around 'culture war' issues.
theferret.scot
February 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM
alastairbrian.bsky.social
We did this last year. Another example of how US culture warriors are using Scotland as a talking point to push their agendas.
February 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Alastair Brian
theferret.scot
With protests planned across Scotland, UK farmers are voicing anger at tax changes. But there are concerns some groups are using the protests to fuel conspiracies about net-zero and more.

Find out more: https://theferret.scot/are-conspiracy-groups-hijack-farmers-protests/
January 15, 2025 at 8:00 AM