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Martyn McLaughlin

@martynmcl.bsky.social
7.3K followers 1K following 199 posts

Investigations correspondent & columnist The Scotsman & Scotland on Sunday. Personal account. Views my own. www.martynmclaughlin.com

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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I’m deeply grateful to those families, and others, for their time and patience in recent weeks, and I’m humbled by their strength. You can read all the coverage in the Scotland’s Maternity Crisis series at this link, and if you have a story, get in touch. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Week-long series exposes nationwide woes in the system
Series spans data-led investigations, expert insight, and interviews with bereaved families
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I also spoke with Lori-Mark Quate, whose wife, Jacqui Hunter, died while giving birth to their stillborn daughter, Olivia. He too is still seeking answers, and has condemned the response from regulators. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Husband condemns regulator inaction after death of wife
Jacqui Hunter, who died during childbirth, was given eight times the recommended amount of a drug used to bring on labour
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
But it was the families I spoke to who shone the brightest light on the problems. Julie Keegan and Angus McLean whose son, Mason, died after a series of failures, are still waiting for the final copy of a formal investigation three-and-a-half years on. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Mother still fighting for answers over baby's death
Initial report into infant’s death condemned as ‘complete whitewash’
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Another freedom of information-led investigation I wrote revealed the growing discontent with maternity services. In the past three years, nearly 2,000 complaints have been made, with the number surging by 40 per cent over that period. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Surge in complaints about maternity care
Commissioner says ‘sustained’ rise in complaints must be dealt with ‘systemically’
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Staffing is one reason why hundreds of women were shuttled between maternity units due to services being placed on ‘divert’, a trend the National Childbirth Trust said was ‘deeply concerning’. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Hundreds of women turned away from hospitals
Concerns over ‘no clear picture’ of how women and babies are impacted by diversions
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Jaki Lambert, director of the Royal College of Midwives in Scotland, warned that legislation supposed to guarantee safe staffing is not being honoured. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Safe maternity staffing levels are desperately needed
Warning that there is ‘barely’ any agency cover left
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Problems around staffing were a near consistent thread throughout the stories I wrote. I found out that at least 39,978 shifts in maternity and neonatal services went unfilled over the past three years after being put out for agency or bank cover. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts unfilled across Scotland
Extent of crisis described as ‘staggering’ by senior health figure
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
My freedom of information-led investigation found there were nearly 500 high-level incidents which led to deaths, falls, and the sudden deterioration of patients in maternity and neonatal services over the past three years. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Nearly 500 serious adverse events over past three years
Health secretary says cases identified by The Scotsman are ‘deeply concerning’
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Indeed, some families who lost babies believe the review, chaired by Professor Christine McCourt, is already facing an uphill task given its limited scope. They fear it is in danger of becoming a waste of time and, worse, an insult to them and others. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Families fear independent review a 'waste of time'
Concerns over ‘forward-looking’ scope of review
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Via numerous interviews with experts, staff, and grieving parents, scores of freedom of information requests, and nearly a dozen stories, I found a maternity system that has fundamentally failed families, leading to deaths, injuries, and declining trust.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Today, the Scottish govt has announced the launch of a long-awaited independent review into Scotland’s maternity services. Over the past eight days, I have been detailing systemic failings in @scotsman.com's series, Scotland’s Maternity Crisis. Thread 👇 www.scotsman.com/news/indepen...
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
EXCL: The mother of a baby who died after a series of failures and oversights by Scotland’s biggest health board said she is still waiting for the final copy of a formal investigation into what went wrong, some three-and-a-half years after losing her son. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Mother still fighting for answers over baby's death
Initial report into infant’s death condemned as ‘complete whitewash’
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The spate of serious incidents was obtained via freedom of information as part of @scotsman.com's Scotland's Maternity Crisis series, which continues into this weekend. You can read the other stories in the series here: www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Week-long series exposes nationwide woes in the system
Series spans data-led investigations, expert insight, and interviews with bereaved families
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
But the overall number of serious adverse events remains unclear. Some boards refused to give me a full breakdown of incidents, or provided the no of reviews carried out, as opposed to incidents. Such inconsistencies in how data is collated has drawn criticism from charities.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Health secretary @angelaconstance.bsky.social said the cases were “deeply concerning,” adding it was “unacceptable” that women had not received the high-quality care they should expect.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Details of the hundreds of serious adverse events across Scotland's maternity services include scores of neonatal deaths, as well as the deaths of mothers, fetal and neonatal injuries, and numerous other incidents described by health boards as “extreme” or “major.”
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
EXCL: Nearly 500 high-level incidents which led to deaths, falls, and the sudden deterioration of patients in maternity and neonatal services have been recorded across Scotland over the past three years. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Nearly 500 serious adverse events over past three years
Health secretary says cases identified by The Scotsman are ‘deeply concerning’
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
EXCL: Nearly 2,000 complaints have been made against Scotland’s health boards over maternity and neonatal services over the past three years, with the number soaring by 40 per cent, according to data obtained by @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Surge in complaints about maternity care
Commissioner says ‘sustained’ rise in complaints must be dealt with ‘systemically’
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I wonder if Mr Robertson would read this tweet aloud in front of the families I've interviewed who watched their babies and loved ones die due to failings in maternity care, yet summon the fortitude and courage to campaign for change in the hope of helping others? His 'truth' is not theirs.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The husband of a woman who died in childbirth has condemned a decision to take no further action against a midwife who administered a drug overdose during the delivery. The latest story in @scotsman.com Scotland's Maternity Crisis series: www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
On Sunday, I heard from bereaved families fighting for change, who warned that the independent review into maternity care was in danger of becoming an "absolute insult" on account of its scope. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Families fear independent review a 'waste of time'
Concerns over ‘forward-looking’ scope of review
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The story marks the latest article in our Scotland's Maternity Crisis series. Yesterday, I reported on how nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts were left unfilled across the country after being put out for bank or agency cover. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts unfilled across Scotland
Extent of crisis described as ‘staggering’ by senior health figure
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The National Childbirth Trust told me the the trend is “deeply concerning,” and said the figures raise “serious questions” about the pressures facing Scotland’s maternity and neonatal services.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
But the true extent of this problem is unclear given the incomplete and inconsistent way health boards compile data. Some do not record info centrally. Others could only provide me with figures for a few months. Many could not detail how many women were impacted.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Hundreds of women were forced to attend different hospitals due to maternity services being placed on ‘divert’, with many going to entirely different health boards. Several boards cited staffing pressures & bed/labour ward capacity constraints among the reasons for diversions.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
EXCL: Half of Scotland’s health boards have been forced to turn away expectant mothers from hospitals after closing maternity or neonatal services to new admissions over the past three years. Day three in my Scotland's Maternity Crisis series for @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Hundreds of women turned away from hospitals
Concerns over ‘no clear picture’ of how women and babies are impacted by diversions
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Reposted by Martyn McLaughlin
Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
EXCL Nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts were left unfilled across Scottish maternity and neonatal services over the past three years, with staffing shortfalls more than doubling at some health boards. Day 2 of @scotsman.com Scotland's Maternity Crisis series. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts unfilled across Scotland
Extent of crisis described as ‘staggering’ by senior health figure
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
EXCL Nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts were left unfilled across Scottish maternity and neonatal services over the past three years, with staffing shortfalls more than doubling at some health boards. Day 2 of @scotsman.com Scotland's Maternity Crisis series. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts unfilled across Scotland
Extent of crisis described as ‘staggering’ by senior health figure
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Reposted by Martyn McLaughlin
Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Today marks the start of Scotland's Maternity Crisis, a week-long series in @scotsman.com exposing myriad problems across the nation's maternity and neonatal services.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Subscribe and read throughout the coming week for the full series of articles. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
scotsman.com
Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Week-long series exposes nationwide woes in the system
Series spans data-led investigations, expert insight, and interviews with bereaved families
011
Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The first story hears from bereaved families with significant concerns over the scope of the independent review into maternity care announced by the Scottish govt. www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Today marks the start of Scotland's Maternity Crisis, a week-long series in @scotsman.com exposing myriad problems across the nation's maternity and neonatal services.
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Delighted to again make the shortlist for the Wincott Foundation's annual awards for financial journalism via my stories on: US govt spending at Trump Org's Scottish firms: Fettes College; and Carnoustie links. Well done to the @theferret.scot team & other nominees. wincott.co.uk/wincott-shor...
wincott.co.uk
Wincott shortlists – winners to be announced at awards lunch on May 21 - Wincott
The Wincott Foundation received almost 150 entries for its 2025 awards with a host of great videos and podcasts, detailed written investigations, and data analysis. The entries covered all aof 2025's ...
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
EXCL: Lookalike audiences, data collection, and detailed targeting of interests including activism, Palestine, and musical theatre. How Scotland's political parties are using Meta and Google to reach voters in the run up to May's election: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
scotsman.com
How SNP, Labour and others are using Meta and Google to target voters ahead of May
Digital politics expert says SNP appears to be ‘experimenting’ with new social media approach
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
"He’s a f****** nuisance, and he’s ignorant, he’s so f****** ignorant about what’s going on in the world." My excl interview with Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari-Cox on Trump, Iran, independence, and the SNP." www.scotsman.com/news/intervi...
scotsman.com
Interview: Brian Cox on Holyrood election, 'deadbeat' Trump and 'hideous' Farage
In an exclusive interview with The Scotsman, the acclaimed actor discusses politics, war, and his hopes for the future
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Reposted by Martyn McLaughlin
Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
30 years ago this Friday, Rachael Irvine lost her eldest brother, Ross, at Dunblane, the UK's deadliest firearms atrocity. She's spoken for the first time about her grief and love for that beautiful wee boy who'll be forever five. My longread for Scotland on Sunday: www.scotsman.com/news/grief-l...
scotsman.com
Grief, love, and remembrance - a sister's tribute to the brother killed at Dunblane
Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the UK’s deadliest firearms atrocity, Rachael Irvine tells her story for the first time
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
30 years ago this Friday, Rachael Irvine lost her eldest brother, Ross, at Dunblane, the UK's deadliest firearms atrocity. She's spoken for the first time about her grief and love for that beautiful wee boy who'll be forever five. My longread for Scotland on Sunday: www.scotsman.com/news/grief-l...
scotsman.com
Grief, love, and remembrance - a sister's tribute to the brother killed at Dunblane
Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the UK’s deadliest firearms atrocity, Rachael Irvine tells her story for the first time
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
EXC: Rockstar, the Scottish video game firm behind the Grand Theft Auto series, has now claimed more than £500m in tax relief through a UK Gov scheme while paying out £400m+ in dividends, prompting calls for reform of what one MP called a 'Grand Theft Tax' www.scotsman.com/news/anger-o...
scotsman.com
Anger over 'Grand Theft Tax' as game firm's tax relief tops half a billion pounds
UK government urged to review scheme’s use by ‘union busting’ firm
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
My Insight interview with Dugald McArthur, a former KPMG executive and great grandson of the Barras Queen, Maggie McIver, who has taken the helm of the family business at the famous Glasgow market and Barrowland ballroom. www.scotsman.com/news/a-sourc...
scotsman.com
'Source of wonder': Meet the ex-KPMG chief behind the Barras market and Barrowland Ballroom
How the fourth-generation member of a thriving family business has grand plans for a Scottish institution
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
EXCL: The US Secret Service spent nearly £2.8m during Donald Trump's visit to Scotland in July, according to records obtained by @scotsman.com under US FoI laws, with Trump's hotels among the recipients. An ethics watchdog condemned the payments as "shocking" www.scotsman.com/news/scottis...
scotsman.com
The multi-million pound bill for Donald Trump's Scotland visit revealed
The payments linked to Donald Trump’s Scotland visit have been described as ‘shocking’ by ethics group
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
EXCL: Parts of Donald Trump’s flagship Scottish golf resort will be locked down overnight in the wake of a security review. www.scotsman.com/news/scottis...
scotsman.com
Parts of Donald Trump's Turnberry resort to be 'locked down' after security review
Bolstered protocol at US president’s property designed to reduce risk of ‘malicious damage’
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
EXCL: Donald Trump's Scottish resorts received more than £20,000 from the US government for accommodation for Secret Service agents assigned to protect his son, Eric, during a visit to Scotland earlier this year. www.scotsman.com/news/scottis...
scotsman.com
Donald Trump's Scottish resorts paid nearly £25,000 by Secret Service for son's trip
Ethics watchdogs condemn payments to US president Donald Trump’s firms.
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Reposted by Martyn McLaughlin
Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
EXCL: The chief exec of the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service has warned its independence risks being undermined by politicians calling for contentious terror laws not to be enforced & stressed the prosciption of Palestine Action doesn't prevent Gaza protests www.scotsman.com/news/crown-o...
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
EXCL: The chief exec of the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service has warned its independence risks being undermined by politicians calling for contentious terror laws not to be enforced & stressed the prosciption of Palestine Action doesn't prevent Gaza protests www.scotsman.com/news/crown-o...
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
EXCL: Scottish taxpayers reimbursed one of Donald Trump’s Scottish golf resorts for rooms used by First Minister John Swinney and his officials during the US president’s high-profile visit to Scotland last month. www.scotsman.com/news/taxpaye...
scotsman.com
Taxpayers foot bill for John Swinney's stay at Donald Trump's resort
First minister and entourage charged by Trump International Scotland for stay
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
EXCL: The Church of Scotland has been accused of “turning its back” on Palestinian Christians after a senior group of trustees unveiled proposals to hive off its luxury hotel in Israel. www.scotsman.com/news/fury-in...
scotsman.com
Fury and resignations over Church of Scotland's plans for its Israel hotel
Controversial hotel scheme has been running at a loss in recent years requiring ‘significant cash injection’
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Reposted by Martyn McLaughlin
The Scotsman @scotsman.com · 26/08/2025
Good morning - here is today's front page of The Scotsman: Kirk hit by resignations over plans for Israel hotel, via @martynmcl.bsky.social
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Reposted by Martyn McLaughlin
The Scotsman @scotsman.com · 20/08/2025
Good morning - here is today's front page of The Scotsman: Ambulance service in total breakdown, says surgeon, via @martynmcl.bsky.social
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
I served on a High Court trial during the pandemic and despite being excused from service for a period afterwards, was still being cited. Picqued my interest in what was happening!
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Martyn McLaughlin @martynmcl.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
Snap, Lesley. That's what got me looking into it!
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