In this week's episode, Lesley and Fraser digest a whirlwind week that saw Scotland’s rugby players secure another win—but this time, there’s a trophy involved with a very specific history. Fraser reveals his own "tangential" role in the creation of the Old Alliance Trophy and why it’s definitely not a cup.

The mood shifts as we analyse the terrifying escalation in the Middle East following the bombing of a girls' school in Minab, South Iran. We discuss the chilling rhetoric of the US administration, the surge in oil prices, and the stark contrast in European leadership—from Spain’s firm "no" on base access to the "swithering" internal dynamics of the UK Labour Party.

Closer to home, we look at a genuine medical breakthrough: a pioneering study at NHS Grampian showing that AI can increase breast cancer detection by 10%. But it's not all good news for the tech world; we discuss Donald Trump’s targeting of Anthropic (the makers of Claude) and what the future holds for software development jobs.

Plus, Lesley shares how she’s using AI to sift through a decade of Nordic research, and we look ahead to the march on Calton Hill on the 28th.

In this episode:

• The Old Alliance Trophy: The story behind the silverware and Scotland’s continuing rugby streak.
• Iran & The "Short-Term Excursion": Analysing the school bombing in Minab and the global fallout of $120-a-barrel oil.
• Spain vs. The White House: Why Pedro Sanchez stood his ground while the UK government remains internally divided.
• AI—The Life Saver and the Supply Chain Risk: From the NHS Grampian breakthrough to Trump’s "stushie" with Anthropic.
• Gathering Again: March on Calton Hill on the 28th and 

Links

Support the podcast with a monthly or annual subscription https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Pioneering study finds AI increases cancer detection by more than 10 per cent https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd9gn4j7dyo

Andrew Redman’s "The March on Calton Hill" print https://andrewrbarr.com/portfolio/march-on-calton-hill/(Fraser highly recommends this one for your wall!)

Lesley Riddoch: Reading Scotland at Newbattle Abbey College 12th March

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lesley-riddoch-reading-scotland-tickets-1982952469215

Finland Film Screenings - see all here https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

Next up

Dunfries - Friday 13 March https://rbcfilmtheatre.co.uk/all-listings/lesleyriddoch

Greenock - Saturday 14 Marchhttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/finland-the-happiest-country-that-almost-didnt-exist-tickets-1980199784862?aff=oddtdtcreator

Artists for Independence - Oran Mor 14th March

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence-forum-scotland/were-putting-the-band-back-together-supporting-scottish-arts/e-rbjakz

The 28th March And Rally Edinburghhttps://www.believeinscotland.org/march_and_rally_for_independence.

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast with Fraser Thompson

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In this episode, we analyse the recent escalation in the Middle East following the attacks on Iran and discuss the potential for regional conflict and the broader impact on global stability. We consider the broader US and Israeli strategies, the prospects for peace, and how these developments affect Europe, Scotland and NATO.

Closer to home, we discuss the ongoing fallout over the Lord Advocate briefing John Swinney on the indictment of Peter Murrell and the conflict inherent in the dual role the Lord Advocate holds and the difficulty in parliamentary scrutiny.

We look at the joint report from Scotonomics and the Scottish Currency Group - Scottish Government Bonds and Investing in Ourselves, highlighting the failure of the Scottish Government to consider independence when planning their bond issue and how the current framework for bonds continues the extractive nature of Scotland’s economy with an over-reliance on foreign direct investment. 

Also in this episode, Labour’s one-day conference, Community energy news, data centres, and UK Labour’s problems following the Green win in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Links
Support the podcast
https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Scottish Government Bonds and Investing in Ourselves
https://scotonomics.org/scottish-government-bonds-and-investing-in-ourselves/

Community energy - heat from Polmaise pit at Fallin
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25606042.scottish-village-hopes-use-abandoned-mine-thermal-energy

Film Screenings
https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

How many legal problems can you fall into in the space of a single podcast? This week, Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson navigate a potential minefield of four major legal and political controversies. We dive into the ongoing sagas involving Peter Mandelson and the Trade Ambassador formerly known as Prince Andrew.

Closer to home, we dissect the row over the Lord Advocate and the revelations surrounding the timing of Peter Murrell’s charges being shared with the First Minister. We also look at the shock announcement that the Alba Party are unlikely to contest the Holyrood election, blaming financial and regulatory problems alleged to have been caused by their former General Secretary.

But it’s not all legal drama; we look at the ideas that could truly transform the face of Scotland. From local control to community wealth building, we discuss how empowering communities can shift our mindset and boost the economy. 

In this episode:

• The Legal "Big Four": Mandelson, Prince Andrew, the Lord Advocate, and the Alba Party.
• Peter Murrell & The First Minister: the dual role of Scotland’s Lord Advocate.
• Transforming Scotland: Why local control and community wealth building matter more than ever.
• By-election Watch: Can Labour hang one?

Links
Support the podcast with a monthly or annual subscription
https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Community Wealth Building
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25867601.holyrood-act-prove-revolutionary-empowering-communities/

Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fridayseconomics/video/7594406782802464013

Gordon Brown as Private Investigator article

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/25/why-gordon-brown-delving-deep-into-epstein-files

Excellent Simon Pearson substack

https://simonpearson1.substack.com/p/the-only-politics-on-offer?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=3669870&post_id=188725593&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1wdpld&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Everybody to Kenmure Street film

review https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/24/power-pyjamas-everybody-to-kenmure-street-glasgow-immigration

Search local screemnngs - 'everybody to kenmure street showtimes'

In this week’s episode, we examine the Community Wealth Bill now and Act and discuss how it might pave the way for better local procurement and build wealth locally as a slight antidote to Scotland’s extractive economy. 

We discuss Kier Starmer and yet another U-turn as the UK Government continue to spin around. This time on English local elections. We look at the latest revelations about the criminal charges against former SNP CEO Peter Murrel, the detail of the allegations against him and the political fallout about the delay to his trial. We also discuss how this all reflects on the SNP as a party and the scorn that was heaped on folk who tried to flag up problems. 

We also discuss Alba, Alliance for Liberation Scotland, Jim Ratcliffe and much else besides.

Links
Finland Film
Glasgow - 18th February - https://www.believeinscotland.org/shop/#!/Screening-of-Lesley-Riddochs-new-film-with-Q&A/p/807936451

Musselburgh - 19th February
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesley-riddoch-finland-the-happiest-country-that-almost-never-existed-tickets-1980183406875?aff=oddtdtcreator

Community Wealth Building Bill

https://spice-spotlight.scot/2025/11/11/an-introduction-to-the-community-wealth-building-scotland-bill/

Band Back Together at the Òran Mór - Indpendence Gig
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence-forum-scotland/were-putting-the-band-back-together-supporting-scottish-arts/e-rbjakz

Morgan McSweeney's gang investigate journalists - National got there first

https://www.thenational.scot/newsletters/bulletin/1898/?nid=1898&ref=eb

How many weeks have started with a ponder that this has been an extraordinary week for the Labour Party? Nothing, so far at least, could eclipse Anas Sarwar’s solo attempt to unseat Prime Minister Kier Starmer this week. In this episdoe, we look at the series of departures, Tim Allan, the press officer who hardly got noticed going in the wake of Morgan McSweeney's departure as Chief of Staff.

We discuss the impact in Scotland and the May elections. We also react to the Scottish conference of Your Party, which voted decisively to be a pro-independence party and their decision to field candidates on the list and in constituencies at the Holyrood election. 

There’s a smattering of on the winter Olympics and renewed calls for a proper bank holiday on Saint Andrew’s Day. 

In this week’s episode, we discuss the Labour Party cheerfully throwing Peter Mandelson under the bus. We look at the allegations and the possible police investigation that's been called for by the SNP and others after leaks of sensitive information by him to Jeffrey Epstein. 

Everybody is deciding that he betrayed the country, that they're shocked and horrified by these allegations, and yet, Mandelson was a repeat offender in terms of breaking the rules, and Kier Starmer put him right back at the top of government yet again. We look at the further damage to the UK PM’s reputation and the sorry state of the Westminster Government. We ponder how this reflects on his right-hand man, Morgan McSweeney? And what does it say about the House of Lords and our so-called democracy when this man cannot have his peerage stripped away?

Become a Pal or Buddy, support the podcast: https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

Links
Finland Film Showings
https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

French Government Social Media
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-diplomats-memes-fight-maga-era-information-wars-emmanuel-macron/

Richard Murphy - Big parties are falling flatM for some reason
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25815305.big-parties-falling-flat-reason/

Liam McArthur - Podcast Extra
https://share.transistor.fm/s/7d0b957a

In this week’s episode, we digest a heavy couple of weeks of news, including the latest killing by ICE agents in Minneapolis. We ask how long can Reform in the UK continue to get away with their references to America, connections with the Trump administration, and leaning on the sort of DOGE style of efficiencies in government as their big offer in the Scottish elections? We look at Lesley’s column and discussion of whether Scotland should have boycotted the World Cup if Trump had gone further with Greenland threats. 

We also look at Andy’King of  the North’ Burnham's knockback from standing, in the forthcoming by-election that would have let him jump in as a replacement Labour leader. Will it all just be brushed under the carpet? How successful will that be? 

Scottish Labour seems to have got a new tactic of ‘mandamification’ of Anas Sarwar. We digest the attempts to ape the social media style of the New York Mayor with groovy videos, the walking, talking, jazzy music, and jumping camera shots. Will that work?

Edinburgh Cameo screening of the Finland film

Unfortunately the Cameo double booked themselves. The February 20th screening of the Finland film HAS MOVED to Sunday March 22nd 5.15pm. T

Ticket-holders for the original date will be refunded but must buy a new ticket for the March date. Sorry about that. A new booking link for March 22nd will be online soon at https://lesleyriddoch.com/events.

Links
Scottish Labour is a party stuck in long-term decline
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25789020.scottish-labour-party-stuck-long-term-decline/

Gavin Newsom  World Economic Forum Davos

https://www.youtube.com/live/ObkKhPt1QM0?si=lzSpDW8FWWTrWB_U

Deacon Blue 'appalled' after Malcolm Offord quotes Dignity

https://www.thenational.scot/news/25800409.deacon-blue-appalled-malcolm-offord-quotes-dignity/

In this Podcast Extra, we speak with Liam McArthur MSP about his private member’s bill - Assisted Dying for Terminally ill Adults. Lesley and Fraser reflect on their own views and their personal connections and involvement with the assisted dying campaign. 

You can find out more about the bill at https://www.dignityindyingscotland.org.uk/. Both Lesley and Fraser take a supportive view of the legislation. This is a complex and difficult subject. A contrary view is taken by organisations like Care Not Killing https://carenotkilling.scot/

The Scottish Budget dominates this week’s episode - did Scottish Labour produce a massive own goal by not bothering to contest or argue for anything in the budget? Has their decision to abstain made life easier for the SNP and led to muted criticism in the press? There seems to be the impression, in the press at least, that there's not an awful lot to say about the budget and the SNP have sailed through a fairly steady as she goes and uninspring pre-election budget with little pain.

We look at the situations across the world at the moment, in Minnesota in the aftermath of the terrible shooting there, the situation in Iran, and the continuing pressure on Greenland. All this and more.

Links
See the latest film showings for the new Finland Film
https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

Greenland films
Uncovering the history of America's secret cold war base on Greenland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIw8pEqJMHw

How did Greenland become part of Denmark and why does Trump want to buy it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfSlQaIEXk

It's a new year, and a happy one, we hope. We start, as we did last year, with Donald Trump in the headlines - this time after illegally kidnapping the President of Venezuela. We discuss all the ramifications of that, how it is occupying all the bandwidth of every world leader as well as Trump and the USA’s renewed threats to Greenland. 

It’s the start of the Scottish election campaign; we look at how things have kicked off and where the election might leave prospects for an independent Scotland.