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James Walker

@jameslwalker.bsky.social
1.2K followers 493 following 90 posts

Political Reporter at The National | Other words and work with The Economist, France TV and Vice among others | Columbia Journalism alum

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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Secretary has been condemned for his "absolutely horrific" response – revealed via FOI – to a pro-Israel group's alleged “smear campaign” of a group of Scottish educators 👇🏻 thenational.scot/news/26583823.scottish-educators-slam-douglas-alexander-reply-pro-israel-smears
thenational.scot
Scottish educators slam Douglas Alexander’s response to pro-Israel ‘smear campaign’
THE Scottish Secretary has been blasted over his response – revealed via FOI – to an alleged pro-Israel “smear campaign” of a group of…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
SPECIAL REPORT: Scotland has more data centres in the grid pipeline than previously known, MSPs were told last week – “closer to 30” in total. The problem? The public can’t yet see them all ... This Sunday National investigation looks into Scotland's 'phantom' data centres👇🏻
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: The Caledonian Sleeper is facing safety questions after a seat reportedly caught on fire randomly. The publicly-owned train service confirmed that a "small thermal event" recently occurred 👇🏻 thenational.scot/news/26576118.safety-concerns-seat-caledonian-sleeper-randomly-caught-fire
thenational.scot
Safety concerns as seat on Caledonian Sleeper service 'randomly caught fire'
THE Caledonian Sleeper is facing safety questions after a seat reportedly caught on fire ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Government is being urged to tear up contracts between the Caledonian Sleeper and a Spanish train company linked to illegal Israeli settlements 👇🏻 thenational.scot/news/26573108.caledonian-sleeper-must-end-contracts-israel-linked-train-firm?…
thenational.scot
Caledonian Sleeper under fire over contracts with Israeli settlement-linked firm
THE Scottish Government is being urged to tear up contracts between the Caledonian Sleeper and a Spanish train firm blacklisted by the UN over…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: John Swinney has been urged to probe an ongoing £21m NHS Scotland contract with a firm whose parent company is linked to illegal Israeli settlements thenational.scot/news/26569535.john-swinney-urged-probe-21m-nhs-contract-linked-israel
thenational.scot
John Swinney urged to probe £21m NHS contract linked to illegal Israeli settlement
THE First Minister had been urged to investigate and end an ongoing NHS contract with a firm whose parent company is linked to illegal Israeli…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Sam Heughan has urged MSPs to back a moratorium on new hyperscale AI data centres in Scotland ahead of a key Holyrood vote tomorrow. The Outlander star says politicians should “pause and reflect” and hit out at the Scottish Government's position👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2655268...
thenational.scot
Sam Heughan urges MSPs to back AI data centre moratorium in key Holyrood vote
OUTLANDER star Sam Heughan has urged MSPs to back a moratorium on planning applications for new hyperscale data centres in Scotland ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: A nurse has claimed in an email to NHS bosses that a huge proposed AI data centre near a Scottish hospital could pose a “significant” risk to patients. She said "voltage fluctuations" caused by the facility could impact lifesaving medical equipment👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2654896...
thenational.scot
Nurse alerts NHS boss to 'safety risks' of huge AI data centre near Scottish hospital
A NURSE has claimed in an email to NHS bosses that a huge proposed AI data centre near a Scottish hospital could pose a “dangerous” risk to…
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Outlander star Sam Heughan has urged MSPs to back a moratorium on planning applications for new hyperscale data centres in Scotland 👀 @jameslwalker.bsky.social has the exclusive 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
🚨 Swords. Daggers. Battle axes. Kukri knives. Knights Templar International, the far-right group that has provided funding to Scottish vigilante groups, has been advertising these weapons for sale in emails to supporters. All the details in this EXC👇🏻 www.thenational.scot/news/2652968...
thenational.scot
Far-right group funding Scottish vigilantes sells swords and 'massive' battle axes
A FAR-RIGHT group that has provided funding to vigilante groups in Scotland has been promoting swords, daggers and battle axes to its supporters,…
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Tomorrow's front page 📰 Group funding Scots vigilantes advertises axes and swords for sale
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: A far-right group that has provided funding to vigilante groups in Scotland has been promoting swords, daggers and battle axes to its supporters, The National can reveal 🚨 @jameslwalker.bsky.social has the exclusive 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2652968...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
🚨EXC: A huge planned £2 billion AI data centre linked to a Scottish aristocrat has been warned that it could affect local water supplies and have a “significant impact” on a protected stretch of the River Tweed, The National can reveal 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2651722...
thenational.scot
Environmental warnings emerge over huge £2bn AI data centre linked to Scottish Duke
A HUGE planned £2 billion AI data centre linked to a Scottish aristocrat has been warned that it could affect local water supplies and have a…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Inside the huge AI data centre lobbying campaign sweeping through Holyrood. 8 companies, 2 industry bodies, over 30 meetings involving MSPs, ministers and the First Minister 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2649139...
thenational.scot
Inside the huge AI data centre lobbying campaign sweeping through Holyrood
AI data centre developers and the wider industry have engaged in a sustained lobbying blitz of the Scottish Parliament, The National can reveal ...
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Tomorrow's front page 🗞️ Reform UK councillor 'advised' far-right vigilante group
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
BREAKING: A Reform UK councillor in Scotland has been caught out 'advising' a far-right vigilante street patrol group
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Newly appointed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has taken tens of thousands of pounds from donors with links to arms firms and controversial US tech firm Palantir, The National can reveal👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2640176...
thenational.scot
Wes Streeting took thousands from donors with links to arms firms and Palantir
WES Streeting took tens of thousands of pounds from donors with links to arms firms and controversial US tech firm Palantir, The National can reveal…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Officials on Scottish Labour's governing body have said Anas Sarwar was a 'failure' as leader and branded his move to the House of Lords as 'shameful' 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2640099...
thenational.scot
Top Scottish Labour official brands Anas Sarwar 'failure as leader' amid Lords move
SCOTTISH Labour officials have hit out at Anas Sarwar amid reports he is set to stand down to become a minister in Andy Burnham's government ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
‼️Who's really behind Glasgow's recent wave of "spontaneous" anti-immigration protests? Our investigation traces how AI-generated posters, misinformation and a network of far right groups have helped organise and amplify demonstrations across the city⬇️ www.thenational.scot/news/2628907...
thenational.scot
Inside the network of far right accounts behind anti-immigration protests in Glasgow
THIS sunny Thursday in Glasgow, grown men moved from window to window outside the New Gorbals Housing Association, phones raised as they tried to…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
🚨EXCLUSIVE: A US anti-abortion group with links to Donald Trump and the American evangelical right spent millions of dollars on legal action in the UK and across Europe last year, The National can reveal 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2622576...
thenational.scot
Revealed: Millions in US cash behind UK anti-abortion protest legal fights
A US anti-abortion group with links to Donald Trump and the American evangelical right spent millions of dollars on legal action in the UK and…
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Westminster MPs have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayer cash on firms with current or past party links, The Sunday National can reveal 👇 Read more: www.thenational.scot/news/2...
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Tomorrow's front page 📰 Refugees are woven into Scotland
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Great to be shortlisted this year + to see all these noms for the team. There has never been a more important time for good, compassionate reporting on refugee issues amid the toxic bin fire that is UK politics at the minute. The article in question: www.thenational.scot/news/2546845...
thenational.scot
Home Office blocks Paisley refugee family from reuniting with dying son
A SYRIAN refugee family living in Paisley has called on the Home Office to stop blocking them from reuniting with their terminally ill son ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
SPECIAL REPORT: I was at the Court of Session today as the UK Government tried to stall the Scottish Palestine Action review and former diplomat Craig Murray attempted to suspend the ban. Here is what I saw 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2614427...
thenational.scot
Inside the room as UK Government tried to stall the Scottish Palestine Action review
THERE weren’t enough seats at court 6 of the Court of Session today ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
🚨On my way to a Court of Session hearing today on whether to suspend the Palestine Action ban in Scotland pending the Judicial Review later this year. Huge constitutional implications. Keep up-to-date here (🧵) and thenational.scot with a full write up later
thenational.scot
Scotland's News & Independence Debate - The National
Scottish news, politics, opinion and culture from Scotland's only pro-independence newspaper. The National - trusted Scottish journalism.
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
EXCLUSIVE: US military use of Scotland's publicly owned Prestwick Airport spiked in the days before the latest strikes on Iran www.thenational.scot/news/2614052...
thenational.scot
Revealed: Surge in US military flights from Prestwick before latest Iran strikes
US military use of a Scottish airport spiked in the days before the latest strikes on Iran, The National can reveal ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Reform MSP Thomas Kerr's company has been struck off and dissolved after failing to file its accounts www.thenational.scot/news/2613992...
thenational.scot
Reform MSP Thomas Kerr's company struck off after failing to file accounts
THE PR firm owned by Reform UK’s Scottish deputy leader Thomas Kerr has been struck off and dissolved after apparently failing to file its…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
🧵 (1/5): Every summer, thousands of migrant workers travel to Scotland to pick our world class strawberries and raspberries - sustaining an industry worth £188m to the Scottish economy 🍓 But behind the picture-perfect punnets, many say they’re living in shocking conditions👇
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
EXC: The landfill site behind the huge Fife blaze was found to be “major non‑compliant” at its last inspection by Scotland’s environment watchdog, The National can reveal. The Ladybank fire has been sending smoke over nearby communities for over a week👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2612135...
thenational.scot
Landfill site behind huge Fife blaze was rated ‘major non-compliant’ by watchdog
THE landfill site behind a huge Fife blaze was found to be “major non‑compliant” at its last inspection by Scotland’s environment watchdog,…
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
A sinister neo-Nazi fight club appears to be increasingly targeting young Scots, the Sunday National can reveal 👇 Read more: www.thenational.scot/news/2...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
EXC: FOI emails reveal the Electoral Commission’s former CEO raised concerns that far-right party Independent Green Voice’s branding may have been designed to confuse voters into mistaking it for the Scottish Greens. Senior staff pushed back👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2609950...
thenational.scot
Electoral Commission boss raised concerns over IGV branding in 2021, FOI reveals
EMAILS released via FOI have revealed why the Electoral Commission initially took no action against Independent Green Voice (IGV) ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
EXC: Scottish Labour official calls on Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie to resign. Another member of the party's governing body has called for a leadership election 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2609159...
thenational.scot
Scottish Labour official calls on Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie to resign
A SCOTTISH Labour official has called on Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie to resign as the dust settles on what looks to be a disastrous result for…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
🚨 I am at the Holyrood election count in Edinburgh today - perhaps the most exciting race in Scotland. As many as 4 parties could realistically win constituency seats in the capital. I'll be covering it all in this thread and online/print for @scotnational🧵 👇
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
EXCLUSIVE: A Scottish salmon farm is under investigation by a UK Government agency after blind and diseased salmon missing chunks of flesh were filmed at their Highland facility www.thenational.scot/news/2607665...
thenational.scot
Highland salmon farm investigated by UK Government agency after diseased fish filmed
A SCOTTISH salmon farm is under investigation by a UK Government agency after blind and diseased salmon missing chunks of flesh were filmed at their…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
🧵(1/5) THREAD: What happens when the people propping up our NHS, care and key sectors start to feel unwelcome? New research shared with the Sunday National suggests 93% of skilled migrants would consider leaving the UK if Labour's immigration rule changes go ahead 👇
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
EXC: UK nuclear industry in Holyrood lobbying blitz ahead of Scottish election www.thenational.scot/news/2605241...
thenational.scot
UK nuclear industry in Holyrood lobbying blitz ahead of Scottish election
THE UK nuclear industry ramped up its lobbying of MSPs ahead of the Holyrood election, the Sunday National can reveal ...
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Here's your first look at tomorrow's front page 📰 'Crisis will hit if migrants leave': Special report as UK Labour's harsh new policy threatens to drag Scotland into disaster 🥀
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
EXCLUSIVE: 13 of Scotland’s US-style megafarms are under investigation over suspected breaches of their pollution permits, The National can reveal. It comes after we revealed that megafarms helped drive a sharp rise in deadly ammonia emissions last year www.thenational.scot/news/2600194...
thenational.scot
Revealed: 13 Scottish megafarms under investigation for breaching pollution permits
OVER a dozen of Scotland’s US-style megafarms are under investigation over suspected breaches of their pollution permits, The National can reveal…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
EXC: An anti-abortion group active in Scotland has withheld details about the amount of US funding it receives.   It comes amid concerns over a US initiative aiming to fund MAGA-aligned groups in the UK and Europe, featuring involvement from Reform UK www.thenational.scot/news/2599260...
thenational.scot
Anti-abortion group active in Scotland under fire over missing US funding details
AN anti-abortion group active in Scotland has withheld details about the amount of US funding it receives ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
🚨 Stay tuned for later today when we release our EXC interview with SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn on The National podcast. Iran war, Morgan McSweeney, Ming Yang, wild anecdotes from Westminster (ahead of likely switch to Holyrood) - lots and lots discussed ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
SPECIAL REPORT: Prestwick Airport was used over 30 times by US military aircraft heading to key bases across the Middle East and Europe in the days leading up to the bombing of Iran – and the flights have since continued. A deep dive into the data 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2593610...
thenational.scot
Revealed: How a Scottish airport is supporting the US bombing of Iran
A SCOTTISH airport has been used repeatedly by US military aircraft heading to key bases across the Middle East and Mediterranean in the days…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Another fire has struck the heart of Glasgow – this time at the Union Corner building. It adds to a string of recent losses: the Mackintosh, the O2 ABC, Victoria’s nightclub. Why do the city’s historic buildings keep burning down? Special report👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2592143...
thenational.scot
Why do so many of Glasgow's historic buildings seem to end up in flames?
ON Sunday night, the sky glowed as flames tore through the Union Corner building beside Glasgow Central station ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
🧵(1/2): Last week, Shabana Mahmood toured Sjælsmark return centre as the UK eyes Denmark’s hardline asylum model. I went there in 2024. It may not be a prison — but it certainly feels like one
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
🧵THREAD: A group of over 8000 migrants across the UK are preparing to take the UK Government to court over the proposed changes to immigration rules. The group has raised £25k and taken advice from a barrister in preparation for a legal fight, The National has learned👇
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
EXCLUSIVE: A group representing over 8000 migrant workers across the UK is preparing to take the UK Government to court over the proposed changes to immigration rules 🔗 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
EXC: US tech firms in lobbying blitz of Holyrood amid AI data centre push and national security concerns www.thenational.scot/news/2585427...
thenational.scot
Revealed: US tech giants in lobbying blitz of Scottish Parliament
US tech firms have ramped up their lobbying efforts at the Scottish Parliament ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
EXCLUSIVE: A bunker at a Highland nuclear site quietly leaked radioactive water for over a year before the alarm was raised – and officials have now ordered a hunt for similar hidden structures that may be leaking too, the Sunday National can reveal 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2585447...
thenational.scot
Major leak at Highland nuclear site triggers hunt for mystery underground bunkers
A 1960s bunker at Scotland’s Dounreay nuclear site quietly leaked radioactive water for at least a year before the alarm was raised – and…
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
🚨 EXC: A leading Scottish rocket firm has gone bust, with 150 jobs at risk, The National can report. Orbex had been planning to launch satellites from the Highlands but is now in administration www.thenational.scot/news/2584479...
thenational.scot
All 150 jobs at risk as leading Scottish rocket firm goes into administration
A SCOTTISH space firm hoping to launch satellites from the Highlands has gone into administration ...
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James Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
*Not so fun fact. Matt Goodwin was my dissertation supervisor. Only briefly mind. I swapped after he said that my idea - a study and survey on the politics of the homeless (less than 1% vote) - was of "no academic interest". I got a 1st 🎓
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
We finally got the truth about Humza Yousaf's 'emo haircut' 🔎
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