Stephen Kerr: “Ordinary Scots who play by the rules will be astonished that they are helping to pay the legal costs of a man who…”

This is yet another insult to taxpayers and another indictment of the SNP's broken justice system.

Ministers must stop dithering, shut these loopholes and ensure public money is spent supporting victims - not criminals.

Fewer officers on the streets puts public safety at risk and every officer cut is a gift to criminals who know Scotland's overstretched police force can no longer investigate every crime.

Nobody is asking them to paint their faces, wear St George’s Cross waistcoats, or start singing Three Lions. Just wish our neighbours well, enjoy the football and stop turning everything into another nationalist grievance.