Lord Ivar Mountbatten revealed what the monarch quipped when he was banned from taking his guns on a flight from Bristol as he travelled to Balmoral.

John Swinney said the 2011 election, where the SNP won a majority, leading to the 2014 independence referendum, had set a ‘precedent’.

First Minister John Swinney said he would not change his cabinet team, despite a number of members confirming they will not run next year.

Concerns have been raised about the Government’s plan to boost resources at councils with lower council tax receipts.