To mark its 40^th anniversary, former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill and Scottish political journalist Jamie Maxwell reflect on the pivotal socialist current within the SNP

SEPTEMBER 2019 not only marks the anniversary of Scotland’s independence referendum, but of another key moment with implications even the most far-sighted of political observers could not have foreseen.

The SNP’s nuclear disarmament spokesperson Douglas Chapman reiterated the party’s commitment to removing the nuclear deterrent and providing “conventional” support to NATO

-          New report from SNP CND argues in favour of using the possibility of Nato membership as leverage to remove Trident from an independent Scotland

-          SNP MP Douglas Chapman cites disarmament process outlined in the 2014 ‘Scotland’s Future’ white paper as current policy

The SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson said: “The immediate priority must now be for all parties involved to de-escalate things.”

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines.

THIS week, Jamieson is joined by Iain Macwhirter, Herald columnist and author, to discuss the history of the Scottish independence movement, the seminal role played in it by Alex Salmond and the future of that movement in the crisis of the British state.

Among other things they discuss:

The former first minister made the statement following his arrest and appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

-          Alex Salmond faces 14 charges, including attempted rape, sexual assault, indecent assault and breach of the peace

-          Salmond said following the hearing: "I have always maintained that I have never engaged in criminality and that remains my position.”

The Salmond row has become extremely complex very quickly – CommonSpace provides a handy breakdown of what you need to know

THE debacle over Alex Salmond’s alleged sexual misconduct, which he denies, has engulfed Scottish politics and caused an unseemly public spat between the former and current First Ministers in the press, each accusing the other of smears.

Former FM says Scottish Government "made an abject surrender" and calls for Permanent Secretary to consider her position

FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond has won his case against the Scottish Government after it admitted it had breached guidelines in investigating allegations of sexual harassment against him.

Judge Lord Pentland told the Court of Session in Edinburgh that the Scottish Government had acted unlawfully “in respect that they were procedurally unfair" and "tainted with apparent bias".

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine says the nature of public debate is becoming increasingly nasty and personalised – only the far-right will win from this

IT IS a sad truth about humanity that whenever we create a new piece of technology, someone will try to use it as a weapon, will try to use it to hurt others.

Salmond: “Most of all I am conscious that if the Party felt forced into suspending me it would cause substantial internal division.”

FORMER first minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond has resigned his membership of the SNP to avoid dividing the party, following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he refutes.