As MPs prepare to vote on replacing the country’s nuclear weapons, we break down what you need to know about them

TODAY the UK Government will propose a vote in Westminster to extend the life of the Trident nuclear weapons system and the submarines that house them. 

Known as the Successor-class, it is a replacement for the Vanguard-class of ballistic missile submarines which entered Royal Navy service in the 1990s. 

The Conservative government claims it to be necessary if the Royal Navy is to maintain a continuous at-sea deterrent (CASD).

After the publication of the Chilcot Report, MPs close in on proposal to ‘prosecute’ Tony Blair 

FORMER prime minister Tony Blair faces being found in 'contempt of parliament' after a cross-party group of MPs announced a plan to hold him to account over the 2003 Iraq war.

The news comes in the light of the Iraq inquiry by Sir John Chilcot which found the former prime minister’s government had relied on “flawed intelligence” and “far from satisfactory legal advice”.

The Iraq inquiry finds the former prime minister liable for failings in intelligence, preparation and legality

THE decison to invade Iraq in 2003 was based on ‘flawed inteligence’, according to the findings of the Chilcot Report released today. 

In response to the release of the Chilcot Report there have been protests and demands for full accountability and atonement

THIS morning in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London there were strong protests and vigils in reaction to the formal publication of the Chilcot Inquiry in to the 2003 Iraq war. 

At 10.30am this morning gatherings were organised by the Stop the War Coalition, known for its firm opposition to the conflict. Thirteen years ago it was the driving force behind the large protests seen in Scotland and around the rest of the UK.

With this week witnessing the publication of the Chilcot Report, CommonSpace looks at the main points of discussion for the inquiry

THE long-awaited Chilcot Report into the Iraq war will finally be released tomorrow, and you can probably expect a mini media meltdown over the mammoth findings.

It could be a bit difficult to follow it all, so we’ll be doing our best to try and break it all down into the main points.

To kick us off ahead of publication, we’ve put together a quick explainer to jog your memory on some of they key issues likely to arise.

Irish President celebrates shared Celtic history as Scotland visit begins 

PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins of Ireland today [Monday 27 June] began a four day visit to Scotland with a speech in the Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, Glasgow. 

His tour will include receiving an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh, and taking part in various cultural exhibits with connections between the two nations.

Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats raise Snowden leaks in parliament 

SCOTLAND’S JUSTICE SECRETARY has said he is confident Police Scotland follow legal surveillance rules – but any questions on secret service mass surveillance should be directed towards the UK home secretary Theresa May.

Government minister Michael Matheson MSP faced questions from John Finnie (Scottish Greens) and Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrats) over the legality of the secret Scottish surveillance system revealed in recent Edward Snowden leaks.

Issue of spying will be raised with the Scottish cabinet secretary for justice

PRO-CIVIL LIBERTIES politicians have raised concerns over the revelations that policing body the Scottish Recording Centre (SRC) had access to mass surveillance from UK secret services. 

CommonSpace and The National newspaper team up to reveal what we know about Scotland’s place in the UK spy network

SECRET REPORTS leaked by U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden have revealed how UK mass surveillance of phone and internet activity was accessed by Scottish police forces.

The documents confirm that a little-known policing body called the Scottish Recording Centre (SRC) was given access to information logs that includes millions of communications data including phone activity, internet histories, and social media behaviour on Facebook.