Scotcast

If you'd like to apply to attend our live show at the Edinburgh Festival, follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/edfest26-scotcast-live-20aug26
Labour’s Andy Burnham (pictured) has stormed to victory in the Makerfield by-election but the party came a distant fourth in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
We ask Labour MSP Paul Sweeney whether Burnham can reverse their party’s fortunes in Scotland. And Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff Liz Lloyd tells us what went wrong for the SNP in Stephen Flynn’s former constituency.
Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.
Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you'd like to apply to attend our live show at the Edinburgh Festival, follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/edfest26-scotcast-live-20aug26
Ivan McKee (pictured) was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform in May 2026.
We ask him about slashing jobs, cutting spending and reforming taxes.
Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.
Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you'd like to apply to attend our live show at the Edinburgh Festival, follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/edfest26-scotcast-live-20aug26
Natalie talks to the BBC’s Lynsey Bews and co-host of The Stooshie podcast, Justin Bowie, about by-elections in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry triggered by the SNP's Stephen Flynn (pictured) and Stephen Gethins switching from Westminster to Holyrood.
Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode of the Politics Show is hosted by Natalie Higgins.
Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Aberfeldy case: how did police get it so wrong?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rp1l
Ilia Belov (pictured left) has been convicted of assault and making sexual remarks to a group of young girls in Dundee. His sister Nadjedzha Belova (pictured right) was also convicted of assault.
We talk to The Courier’s editor David Clegg and Calum Steele, formerly of the Scottish Police Federation, about how Police Scotland responded after a video of a girl carrying an axe went viral, pushed by the likes of Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson.
Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.
Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like:
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First Minister John Swinney (pictured) was reportedly targeted by an Israeli firm spreading online disinformation ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.
We talk to the BBC’s global disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield and ex-SNP MP Stewart McDonald, who authored a report about online smear campaigns targeting Scottish public life.
Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Martin Geissler.
Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk