The Ferret

The Ferret is a renowned platform dedicated to investigative journalism, serving Scotland and beyond.

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Call for mental health ward deaths to be investigated

1 week ago | theferret.scot | Karin Goodwin

Only 11 investigations into more than 1,000 deaths in Scottish mental health wards over the last decade have been carried out by Scotland’s public body overseeing the welfare of patients, according to a new report by Glasgow University. The study – Nothing to see here – is the fourth annual monitoring report on deaths in state care by the university’s Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR).
Edinburgh University told staff it had bought valuable property amid funding crisis...then denied it

2 weeks ago | theferret.scot | Karin Goodwin

Unions have called for urgent clarity from Edinburgh university after it published an “incorrect” memo that said the cash-strapped institution had purchased an iconic A-listed office block while it was laying off staff. An internal communication from the university to staff in late March – shared with The Ferret – said it had bought the former Scottish Widows building opposite Edinburgh’s Commonwealth swimming pool the previous month.
Who runs Scottish exports?

3 weeks ago | theferret.scot | Karin Goodwin

In our Who Runs Scotland series so far, we have revealed the industries which have the most access to political power in Scotland through lobbying meetings with our ministers, MPs and MSPs.Our analysis found that three of Scotland’s most high-profile and powerful industries – oil and gas, fish farming, and whisky – have repeatedly attempted to exert influence over Scottish politics in this way. These iconic exports are often assumed to be working hard for Scotland’s economy.
Serve our salmon at government events, say companies

4 weeks ago | theferret.scot | Rob Edwards

The UK government has been accused of acting as the “promotional wing” of the multinational salmon farming industry, after a minister appeared to bow to pressure to serve more farmed salmon at government receptions. The Ferret can reveal that industry leaders lobbied the Scotland Office minister, Kirsty McNeill, at a meeting in September 2024 for “greater supply of Scottish salmon” at government events. She replied she was “keen to see this”.
the revolving door between politics and PR

1 month ago | theferret.scot | Karin Goodwin

Scotland’s most influential public relations companies are staffed by former politicians, government ministers, spin doctors and newspaper editors, The Ferret has found, exposing the “revolving door” between politics, the media and lobbying. These well-connected figures are now being paid to represent the interests of the UK’s largest businesses including fossil fuel and energy multinationals, big finance, and arms firms.
Salmon farms file 210 appeals to 'sabotage' lice controls

1 month ago | theferret.scot | Rob Edwards

Salmon farms across Scotland have lodged 210 appeals against controls on lice infestations imposed by the Scottish Government’s environment watchdog, prompting outrage from campaigners. The appeals are the latest and most dramatic move in the multinational salmon industry’s long-running campaign to block lice controls being introduced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) to protect wild fish.
MoD under fire over nuclear clean-up in Scotland

1 month ago | theferret.scot | Rob Edwards

The Ministry of Defence has been accused of trying to avoid responsibility for cleaning up a military nuclear site on the north coast of Scotland by making it “someone else’s problem”. The Ferret can reveal that discussions to transfer ownership of Vulcan, a former submarine reactor testing site next to Dounreay in Caithness, to the UK and Scottish governments’ Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are at an advanced stage. The aim is to complete the deal in 2027-28.
Star wars: alarm at space agency’s 130 meetings with MoD

2 months ago | theferret.scot | Rob Edwards

Senior officials from the UK Space Agency held over 130 meetings with the Ministry of Defence in 2024, prompting renewed concerns about the “weaponisation” of space. The meetings discussed the spaceport being built at SaxaVord on Shetland, using nuclear reactors in space and collaboration with the US, NATO and arms companies. Two members of the agency’s advisory board also work for the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Private prison records highest level of self-harm

2 months ago | theferret.scot | Karin Goodwin

Almost 600 incidents of self-harming were reported at Addiewell – Scotland’s only private prison – in less than four years, almost double that of any other Scottish jail. The number of incidents, revealed in a freedom of information request, were for self-harm by cutting, which is associated with emotional distress and poor mental health and wellbeing. In total Addiewell recorded 590 incidents from January 2021 until the end of August 2024, an average of 13 every month.
Private prison profits: Addiewell pays £3m to shareholders amid safety fears and rising deaths

2 months ago | theferret.scot | Karin Goodwin

The company which owns Scotland’s private Addiewell prison has paid more than £3m to shareholders in less than two years despite serious concerns over prisoner and staff safety amid high levels of deaths and violence, The Ferret has found. In total almost £20m has been paid out in dividends to shareholders since the prison opened in 2008. Yet in half of the years it has been open it has failed to meet agreed Scottish Prison Service standards, paying penalties as a result.