Holyrood

Prof O'Neill - who previously told Holyrood's education committee as many as 700 posts might have to go - said a number of steps still needed to be completed for the new proposals to work.

Green MSP Maggie Chapman has survived a bid to oust her from Holyrood's equalities committee after she criticised the judiciary over a judgement on the definition of a woman.

The dean of the faculty of advocates, Roddy Dunlop KC, said Chapman should consider her role as deputy convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee as her remarks conflicted with Holyrood guidance on impartiality.

He failed to win support last time the bill was discussed at Holyrood, but intends to press the case again when it reaches its final stage of the parliamentary process.

Past and present cast members - including Frank Gallagher, who played crime boss Lenny Murdoch, and Gary: Tank Commander star Scott Fletcher - held placards up outside Holyrood protesting the cancellation, before sitting in the parliament to listen to the motion, brought by Labour MSP Neil Bibby.