Cancer waiting times ‘shameful’ and Trump in court
The Scotsman leads with cancer treatment waiting times falling to their worst level on record. New data shows that 71.7% of patients started treatment within the Scottish government’s 62-day target time in the last three months of the year, down from 75.1% in the previous quarter. The government’s target is 95% within 62 days of an urgent referral.
The new data on cancer treatment times also makes the front page of The Herald. The report says that more than 1,200 Scots have been left waiting more than two months to start urgent treatment. While figures varied between 61% and 89% across different health boards, none have met the government’s target.
The Scottish Daily Express also leads on the new cancer waiting time figures, with Macmillan warning that “things are getting worse and will be felt for years to come”. A lack of staffing and capacity issues were blamed by the charity for preventing progress.
Former US president Donald Trump has pled not guilty to 34 criminal charges in a courtroom in New York, reports the Times. The trial concerns alleged hush money payments made to boost his chances in the 2016 election. He pled not guilty to all of the charges. In the middle of its front page under the headline “Trump in the dock”, The Times features an image of the former president as he entered the courtroom on Tuesday – described by the paper as a momentous day in American democracy.
The Daily Telegraph also leads with Trump becoming the first former US president in history to appear in court on criminal charges. The judge said he was concerned about Trump’s actions in the lead up to the trial, after he used social media to attack the judge and prosecutor. A story about government plans to reportedly bar trans people from female sports and single-sex spaces also makes the paper’s front page.
The charges against Donald Trump also lead the Scottish Daily Mail. It says his alleged affair cover-up also attempted to conceal a child conceived out of wedlock. It says the full extent of the charges against Mr Trump has now been laid bare, writing of an “extraordinary day of drama”. The paper also displays the newly released photograph of King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort – who drops the title and becomes known simply as Queen from next month’s coronation.
The Trump allegations also make the front page of the Daily Record. The ex-president called the situation “SURREAL” on social media prior to his arrest, adding: “Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!”
The Sun describes Mr Trump as “glum” as he sat in the dock. But most of the paper’s front page is dedicated to how Camilla’s title change was revealed on the invitation for King Charles’ coronation on 6 May. The paper calls her “Our New Queen”.
Keir Starmer suggests that he forced former Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard to resign on the front page of the National. The paper has also enlisted former finance secretary Kate Forbes as a new columnist fresh from her defeat in the SNP leadership race.
In the Edinburgh Evening News, a Lothian MSP has called for the resignation of Edinburgh’s care chief after inspectors ruled too many people and carers in the city are not receiving social work services at the right time or place.
Leading The Courier is news of 17 lambs being killed in a suspected dog attack, with Fife farmer Stuart McDougall telling the paper that the extent of their injuries were “catastrophic”. Dog owners can face persecution if their pet attacks livestock.
A local businessman has called for immediate action from the Scottish government on ferries, reports the Press & Journal. Kenny MacLeod heads up the Harris Development Trust and claims the Harris economy lost £8.5m last summer due to a lack of ferry capacity for tourists.
The Glasgow Times shares reports that teenagers have taken over a former social work building in the city’s south side which now lies derelict. The local community council has been calling for the building to be demolished for almost two years. Locals have raised safety concerns after youths were caught throwing small slabs and chunks of stone from the roof.
Aberdeen’s Cheerz Bar has had a request to extend its hours for a Pet Shop Boys after party refused as it could set a “bad” precedent, reports the Press and Journal.
A Dundee driver who has been banned from the road 24 times has been advised by a sheriff to imagine car steering wheels are snakes. The Evening Telegraph reports that the man has been banned for life seven times now.
And in the Daily Star, an Ayrshire woman is terrified to enter her kitchen every morning because of the grey squirrels which have been living in her house for the last three years.
