ruth davidson talks about "the day job". yesterday, we saw the biggest u—turn from the tories in decades, blowing a £2 billion hole in their budget, and, because of brexit, every household in this country so i think scotland deserves a choice, and that choice is this — take control of our own finances to build, grow and innovate our way to a better future, or allow the tories to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again, and make the situation worse. the scottish conservatives reject the proposals set out a referendum cannot happen when the people of scotland have not been given the opportunity to see how our new relationship with the european union is working, and it should not take place when there is no clear political or public consent for it to happen. our country does not want to go back to the divisions and uncertainty of the last few years. another referendum campaign will not solve the challenges that this country will face. we don't want it, we don't need it — why won't she listen? so, ruth davi

the first from ruth davidson. this basically sets out her case, which is is unfair to ask the question on independence while the question on independence while the process of leaving the eu is still ongoing. let's remind ourselves that tomorrow the prime minister theresa may will be triggering article 50 of the lisbon treaty, starting two years of formal negotiations on the brexit process. the conservative case here under ruth davidson if this is not the right time, and that is the case underlined by theresa may in her visit yesterday, not the right time, they say, to have an independence referendum. yes 31, no 97. the amendment is not agreed. we move onto the next amendment. this is in the name of the labour party. the next question... in the name of keleher dugdale. are we all agreed? we're not agreed, we move to division and then cast the votes. a very efficient system in the scottish parliament. this is the amendment, saying it would be unfair to ask this question on independence while the process of leaving t

ruth davidson said it was perfectly 0k. she has but she is the conservative leader in scotla nd is the conservative leader in scotland and made the argument that as someone scotland and made the argument that as someone who used to be a journalist, she worked for the bbc for ten years before becoming a politician, she thought both jobs we re politician, she thought both jobs were full on and the idea of doing both at the same time would be quite something. nicky morgan former education secretary was interesting on itv, she made the argument and it is there to be made, that he used to be the chancellor, that's a huge job and he did that alongside being a constituency mp for a constituency a long way away. but that is the nature of being in government and the argument would be that does not present you with conflict—of—interest. you are an mp for the governing party and a member of that government. the challenge and the criticism which comes the way of george osborne is the whole business of, one time management and secon

the leader of the scottish conservatives, ruth davidson, said the debate underlined how divisive another referendum campaign would be for everyone. this debate so far has served one purpose. it's vintage show why were people in scotland don't want the government and this parliament to be sidetracked and the division and rancour of another campaign. despite och some speeches from the side of the chamber, this added nothing to the chamber, this added nothing to the knowledge of scottish independence. the labour, kezia dugdale said the referendum did not reflect the will of the people. and didn't want to do putter divide the nation. yesterday's meeting summed up nation. yesterday's meeting summed up where we are. two litres phocis only on the constitution while the business and government gets pushed to one side. —— two leaders focus on the constitution. we have been told she will fight for the best deal for scotland. but it independence or nothing for the first minister. this is taking place against the backdrop of the eu vote. it's important to stress that we believe in a more democra

i call on ruth davidson. i'm responding on behalf of my party today because the scottish minister has decided to reopen as for the scottish government. there is only one thing ican add government. there is only one thing i can add from icon in first week. that is, if this debate so far has served one purpose, it has been to show why most people in scotland do not want the government and this parliament to be sidetracked by yet another referendum campaign. despite some honourable speeches from all sides of the chamber, this parliament last week added precisely nothing to be some of human knowledge on scottish independence. no new arguments, nothing for families want to see a parliament focus on improving schools for children across scotland, no ideas on how we ensure that patients are seen more quickly in hospital so that they get the treatment it deserves. no insight on how we tackle the endemic low growth in scotland. this parliament is about to gain huge new powers of tax and welfare, making it one of the m

the suggestion is from ruth davidson, the leader of the conservatives in scotland, that if she pushes ahead with the second independence referendum, they will lose even worse than they did before? we don't quite know what basing this on. the pauling doesn't suggest that? it doesn't. i don't think she will be disappointed to hear this because she's taking the battle on their ground. this was supposed to be put to bed fairly generation in 2014. two or three yea rs later generation in 2014. two or three years later and here we are talking about a "i don't think nicola sturgeon will mind the conservatives saying this. brexit has opened this can of worms again, but scottish voters will probably have to look at the maths of the currency and economy even more closely because they are not part of, leaving a country that has already left the european union. absolutely and that is sought—after till really second referendum would move up because it is moving so swiftly right now that the unionists would certainly say, listen, 2014 when you lost you said you had billions of pounds of our money

the leader of the scottish conservatives, ruth davidson said the debate underlined how devicive another referendum campaign would be. this debate so far has served one purpose, to show why most people scotland don't want the government and this parliament to be side tracked by the division and rancour of yet another referendum campaign. despite some honourable speeches from all sides of the chamber, this parliament last week added precisely nothing to the sum of human knowledge on scottish independence. theresa may says the uk is facing a significant moment in its history as she prepares to begin the process of leaving the european union. she was officially notify european leaders that the uk wants to pull out of the union ina that the uk wants to pull out of the union in a letter tomorrow. mrs may has been in birmingham today at a business event to highlight links between qatar and the united kingdom. vicki young is there for us now. theresa may came here, liam fox too really to say what an opportunity it's going to be for britain once brexit happens. obviously trying to increase ties

this is what ruth davidson, the leader of the scottish conservatives, said. ithought, better than me! i spent ten years as a journalist and ten as an mp. it is a journalist and ten as an mp. it is a pretty busy week. i am not sure if you could do both at the same time. some scepticism, that reflects most of the mps, tony blair was also asked. having those jobs, i do not know if that is doable, but it is good for the evening standard. why not? he is highly capable and it should make politics more interesting. two points. sceptical see has any team, and tony blair, also a supporter of the remain side, welcoming him perhaps for political reasons. just days from triggering article 50. tony blair, getting into the brexit debate? heat also jumped into what the labour party should be doing. this is what he said about what people could realise about the pitfalls going forward through negotiations. as you go down this path, the british people could realise three things. one, the gain was a realise three things. one, the gain wasa rake, realise three things. one, the g

the conservatives leader in scotland, ruth davidson, defended george osborne's appointment when she appeared on the andrew marr programme earlier today. i have to say, i thought, he's a better man than me because i spent ten years a journalist and i've now spent six years as a politician, and i'm not sure i could combine them both. and this week in particular, so i'm not sure you could do both at the same time, if i'm honest. through the ordeal of giving evidence in court under changes being brought forward by the justice secretary, liz truss. from september, the cross—examination of alleged victims will be pre—recorded and played to the jury. it follows a trial involving child victims who said the—systemmade! them feel less pressured and better able to recall events. the rac is warning most drivers buying new cars will face increased road tax from next month. .g;;!s*;;!>’;§g ., purchasing greener more environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles, some of which will attract road tax, or vehicle excise duty as it's formally known, for the first time, as our business correspondentjoe lyna

let's hear what ruth davidson, the leader of the scottish conservatives said. i thought he was a better man than me. i spent ten years as a journalist. i could not combine them both. i work pretty busy week as it bumm- this week in particular. i am is. this week in particular. i am sure you can do both at the same not sure you can do both at the same if i'm honest. some could scepticism from her. tony blair was also asked about it by andrew marr and here is what he said. i don't know whether having those jobsis i don't know whether having those jobs is doable or not but it's a thing for the evening great thing for the evening standard, why not? he is a highly capable guy. it should make politics more interesting. two points. both sceptical that he would find the time and the second is that tony is also a fan of the remain blair is also a fan of the remain side of the eu referendum, like sadiq khan, welcoming him perhaps for political reasons. we are days away from triggering article 50. tony blair talking this morning. did weighed into the brexit debate at he w

and can i urge ruth davidson to reconsider her approach when we have a chance to reset this debate? applause. because last week, we came together to remember those who lost their lives or were injured in the westminster terror attack, we united in our condemnation of a barbaric act and reaffirmed our commitment to the values of tolerance and integration, freedom and solidarity. she said the conservative party had caused a lot of division. that set scotland against england in the general election and whose reckless brexit gamble brought us to this point, where leaving the eu just provide the snp with the latest excuse it was looking for to push for another referendum. so, some humility from the tories and a genuine desire to properly engage with this place wouldn't go amiss. after a few hours of debate, members of the scottish parliament voted by 69 to 59 in favour of the snp motion. the motion authorises the scottish government to seek permission for a referendum from the uk government. theresa may has previously said, however, that now is not the time. back to westminster now, wher

well, let me issue this direct challenge to ruth davidson and to the conservative party. if on wednesday next week this parliament votes for an independent referendum to give the people of scotland a choice over their own future, will the conservatives respect the will of this parliament? or are the conservatives running scared? the first minister said this week she didn't want a fact free debate. so, let's start with one fact she cannot deny. isn't it the case that according to her own government statistics, leaving the uk would mean £15 billion worth of extra cuts? tory and labour combining again to talk this country down. here is the reality. scotland has a deficit created on westminster's watch, and we have to do deal with that deficit whether we are independent or not. isn't it much better to have the tools and the powers of independence to deal with that deficit concert with our own values and not tory values? nicola sturgeon. and so, by the end of the week, the two sides were squaring up, with theresa may saying now was "not the time" for a second referendum, and

if there is any chance of the scottish first minister being a conservative, like ruth davidson, it would be if the snp were . split in two, with z and 7 and aggravations, a recriminations and aggravations, a referendum bid again... nobody will wa nt referendum bid again... nobody will want to be the prime minister that sees the end of the union. you don't wa nt sees the end of the union. you don't want that on your card. and you had to think about northern ireland now, that double whammy. and possibly cornwall. but i agree, nicola sturgeon has the best of both worlds at the moment. when things go wrong, she can blame westminster and kick a pasting there. when things go right, the snp in power in scotland, —— kick upa the snp in power in scotland, —— kick up a stink. they have a monopoly on - there. they have a monopoly on seeds there. it isa they have a monopoly on seeds there. it is a difficult position for her. people think, we have had two major referendums, we do not want another. and in the last 2a hours, there was a poll, i know they change over time but they say that a maj

we've also been speaking to the leader of the scottish conservatives ruth davidson. she says most people in scotland do not want a second referendum and that she has been speaking to prime minister theresa may about the possibility of a second scottish referendum. well, i've been speaking to theresa may over the past not just couple of days, but also, the past weeks and months, and her position has always been that, of course, there could be another referendum, but it's whether there should be. when you've got an snp government that doesn't have a clear mandate, that lost its majority. when you've got the majority of people in scotland saying that they don't want to be dragged back to that question. and i think even since yesterday, we've seen the proposition from the snp fall down. so they're saying that europe's the reason that they've got to have another independence referendum, but they haven't actually confirmed whether an independent scotland would apply to be a full member of the eu. and the timetable they've put down is asking people in scotland to vote blind

the leader of the scottish conservatives, ruth davidson, said the debate underlined how divisive another referendum campaign would be for everyone. this debate so far has served one purpose. it's vintage show why were people in scotland don't want the government and this parliament to be sidetracked and the division and rancour of another campaign. despite och some speeches from the side of the chamber, this added nothing to the chamber, this added nothing to the knowledge of scottish

let's talk down to ruth davidson, the leader of the scottish conservatives. you have good communications with theresa may. which she allowed a second scottish referendum on independence question i have been speaking to theresa may over the past weeks and months. her position has always been, there could be another referendum that it is whether there should be. you have an snp government without a clear mandate and doesn't have a majority. the majority people in scotland saying they do not want to be dragged back to that question. even since yesterday, we have seen the proposition from the snp fall down. they are saying that europe is the reason they have to have another independence referendum. they have not confirmed whether an independent scotland could be a full member of the eu. they are asking people in scotland to vote blind on an issue. they do not know what brexit or independence looks like. there are a whole lot of issues in there. are you saying that theresa may could save no, you are not allowed a second independence referendum? eye—macro it is a

now in ruth davidson scotland has a fighter who will stand up to the snp establishment in the interests of the scottish people and provide a real alternative to the snp. but as well as taking on the snp for their failures in office, we have another importantjob. failures in office, we have another important job. when i failures in office, we have another importantjob. when i stood outside downing street on the day i became prime minister, i reminded people in the full title of our party is the conservative and unionist party. and that word unionist is very important to me. my first visit as prime minister was here to scotland. i wa nted minister was here to scotland. i wanted to make clear that strengthening and sustaining the bonds that unite us is a personal priority for me. i am confident about the future of our united kingdom and optimistic about what we can achieve together at the country will stop the fundamental strengths of our union will stop the fundamental strengths of ourunion and will stop the fundamental strengths of our union and the benefits it brings to all of its const

earlier in the day the scottish conservative leader, ruth davidson, told the bbc she does not think the snp have a mandate for a referendum. she does not think the public in scotland want one, but she said if it did go ahead, the snp would take a big hit. it is almost like the conservatives saying, come and have a go if you think you are ha rd and have a go if you think you are hard enough! uber has lost a high court claim against a decision for all of its drivers to pass a language test. tefl says the test is vital for passenger safety. uber says the test and the level is too high. senior democrats have demanded that the attorney general stepped down over his contacts with the russian ambassador in washington. president trump said jeff sessions could have stated its response more accurately, but it was clearly not intentional. he has accused democrats of a witchhunt. let's get the latest on this from jane in washington. how much trouble is the trump administration in over this? this is a massive distraction, but i think for now at leastjeff sessions himself is fairly safe. he has stepp

the leader of the scottish conservatives, ruth davidson, said the debate today, underlined how divisive another referendum campaign would be for everyone. this debate has served one purpose. most people don't want this government to be sidetracked by yet another campaign. despite honourable speeches from all sides of the chamber, this parliament added precisely nothing to the sum of human knowledge on scottish independence. for labour, kezia dugdale also said the push for a new referendum didn't reflect the will of the people, and warned it would divide the nation. yesterday cross—macro meeting between the prime minister and the first minister summed between the prime minister and the first ministersummed up between the prime minister and the first minister summed up where we are in this country today. two in transient leaders focused only on the constitution, whilst the business of government gets pushed to one side. nicola sturgeon has given up any pretence that she will fight for the best brexit deal for scotland. instead of fighting for more powers to come to scotland from brussel

davidson. she said, just as brexit gets under way, this is a time when people should be coming together, not pushing apart. this debate so far has served one purpose, to show why most people in scotland don't want the government and this parliament to be side tracked by the division and rancour of yet another referendum campaign. despite some honourable speeches from all sides of the chamber, this parliament last week added precisely nothing to the sum of human knowledge on scottish independence. interesting some of the points made by the other parties already in this debate. labour saying that nicola sturgeon was campaigning for independence at the expense of governing and that instead nicola sturgeon should be fighting for more powers to be coming to scotland as pa rt powers to be coming to scotland as part of the brexit process. the greens, of course, they support this motion today. they said that the greens have a long standing policy for supporting an autonomous scotland. they have been cr

ruth davidson has urged theresa may not to block the referendum. you will hear labour politicians say time and time again that independence is bad for scotland. it would be bad for jobs, bad for the economy. most importantly for me it would be bad for the poorest most vulnerable people in society because it would mean even greater cuts to public services, far greater than what we already face from the tories and their austerity plans. there would be turbo—charged posterity. i am so firmly opposed to the independence referendum and firmly opposed to independence itself. the difficulty of the snp promised another referendum if there was a significant material change to scotland's circumstances, and ultimately, that is what brexit is, isn't it? actually, if you look at the line which precedes that, in the ma nifesto, the line which precedes that, in the manifesto, they talk about a line if scotla nd manifesto, they talk about a line if scotland was to oppose the referendum. the majority of people are against the independence referendum. they believe

earlier in the day the scottish conservative leader ruth davidson told the bbc that she does not think the snp have a mandate for a referendum, she does not think the public in scotland want one, but she said if it did go ahead, the snp would take a big hit. it is almost like the conservatives are saying, come and have a go if you think you are hard enough! the main centre—right candidate in the french presidential race, francois fillon, has suffered a further blow with the resignation of his spokesman amid continuing fallout over allegations of fakejobs. pressure has been growing on mr fillon, a former prime minister, to step down, following reports that he paid family members for parliamentary jobs they didn't do. they deny wrongdoing and he insists he'll fight on. live to paris, hugh schofield is there for us. hazmat grant's hazmat gra nt‘s spokesman hazmat grant's spokesman said anything about the reasons for his resignation? not publicly. he has tweeted and he has said he does not believe the conditions are there any more for a victory. the significance is it is notjust him, h

earlier in the day the scottish conservative leader ruth davidson told the bbc that she does not think the snp have a mandate for a referendum, she does not think the public in scotland want one, but she said if it did go ahead, the snp would take a big hit. it is almost like the conservatives are saying, come and have a go if you think you are hard enough! in ireland, the mother and baby homes commission, which is led by a judge, has announced that excavations at the site of a former mother and baby home in tuam, county galway, has found an underground structure. it is divided into 20 chambers and inside are significant quantities of human remains, including those of babies. the discovery was made by a forensic team investigating suspicions that nearly 800 children died at the catholic institution in tuam until its closure in 1961. let's talk to our correspondents who hasjoined me. what do let's talk to our correspondents who has joined me. what do we let's talk to our correspondents who hasjoined me. what do we know let's talk to our correspondents who has joined me. what do we know

davidson have been clear. the issue is, should there be? people do not want... ifa is, should there be? people do not want... if a decision was taken by the snp, yes, we will go for one, theresa may could block it, should she? they are a minority government in the scottish parliament so they would have to bring forward the vote and we would see how parties approach it. for people in scotland, they would want to see how the government is thinking this through. over the next two years, there is a lot of work to do to secure the best deal for scotland. i am lot of work to do to secure the best deal for scotland. lam not lot of work to do to secure the best deal for scotland. i am not sure the focus is currently on that and i think that is why people in scotland will soon punish them for that at the local elections in may, the best opportunity voters will have to knocked a strong team of conservative councillors to send a message to the snp on this issue —— to elect. nicola sturgeon would need to get permissio

with ruth davidson alongside the lib dems. but the best campaign will have a tougherjob next time around, whereas the snp are in a nice position and they can reframe nationalism as europeanism.” position and they can reframe nationalism as europeanism. i know you are in the middle of doing your degree, said there are other challenges. do you anticipate going out and campaigning?” challenges. do you anticipate going out and campaigning? i would like to think so, i am thinking aboutjob prospects post 2018 and that might spur me on to prospects post 2018 and that might spur me onto campaign. prospects post 2018 and that might spur me on to campaign. i am definitely open to a new debate. i amano definitely open to a new debate. i am a no vote at this point, but i would be interested in looking at the proposals put forward by both sides. are you planning to go out and knock on doors?” sides. are you planning to go out and knock on doors? i did not do enough last time and i regret that, so enough last time and i regret that, s

corporate finance reporter ruth is here. why is this deal so significant for harley? why are they coming out here in asia? >> it is a big deal for harley because it is the first time this 114-year-old all-american company is venturing out of the u.s. to test the markets. they have chosen singapore and australia, not europe, and assertive underscores the asian debt markets. betty: why are they wanting to look outside the u.s.? >> it is investment and great companies, always great to diversify, and at a time when there are record lows, it is time to look at places where there is a lot of demand for good corporate debt. in asia, there is demand for it. haidi: talk about the timing, because it is significant. >> this deal comes at eight interesting time. president trump obviously rewarding companies, american companies that choose to stay on short, but at the same time, harley is looking to venture out to debt markets outside for the first time ever. in that sense, definitely interesting, and it shows the importance of asian debt markets to the corporate world. haidi: loo

i think the foreign minister is certainly listening to what she had to say today and what ruth davidson and david mundell have said, they are confident i think that enough scots will be content with their approach to this that they will pull it off. it is by no means finished. 0f they will pull it off. it is by no means finished. of course, there is a two—day debate in parliament next and then snp spring conference week and then snp spring conference starting tomorrow. it is very much a movable feast. thank you very much for talking to us from edinburgh. a former british cyclist has told the bbc that he broke the sport's rules by secretly injecting himself with vitamins when riding for team sky. josh edmondson says he admitted it to team sky in 2014, but that it was covered—up. team sky say edmondson denied ever self—injecting, and they did not report him because they were concerned about his mental state. our sports editor dan roan has this exclusive report. he was one of british cycling ‘stop young talents, team—mate to legends, but beneath the surface he was struggling to d