Michael Russell defends schools record

MICHAEL Russell will today defend his government's education record in a parliamentary statement as he faces calls for an apology for intervening in a school closure row in Argyll and Bute.

The education secretary will attempt to portray the SNP as the champions of rural schools to pre-empt a Labour debate on his handling of the education brief.

Yesterday, Labour education spokesman Des McNulty said: "Mr Russell has been caught red-handed. As education secretary, he should not be meddling with matters that are the responsibility of a local authority.

"As a regional MSP, he should be not be involving himself in matters outside of his constituency. Either way, he must now apologise fully."