DRUMLANRIG

There are rumours that fans of Frank McAveety are thinking of launching a "Bring Back Frank" petition subtitled "There but for the grace of God, go I". The petition is expected to be signed by scores of not so politically correct men working in the parliament, who believe he has been hard done by.

Very few of the Holyrood wimmin are expected to sign up. Except perhaps the group of lusty gals of a certain age, who meet for the odd glass of white wine in the White Heather Club after the close of parliamentary business.

"Some of their comments about the male talent make Loose Women look like the Women's Guild," said one Holyrood insider, who has had the misfortune of overhearing one of their more fruity conversations.

In any case, the petition does not stand much chance of success. Especially now that Frank's resigned as Petitions Committee convener.

ALL WHITE ON NIGHT

One signature that will definitely be missing from the Bring Back Frank petition will be that of Sandra White, below, the combative Glasgow SNP MSP whose voice was the loudest amidst the outrage that surrounded McAveety's excruciatingly ill-judged comments.

Sandra was later seen "dancing a jig" in the Scottish Parliament's canteen singing, "I've got a scalp, I've got a scalp." Like McAveety's outburst, it was yet another sign of Holyrood's mature approach to running the country.

ALARM BELL

Alex Salmond's latest recruit to his team of policy advisers may have some explaining to do when he joins the First Minister's entourage.

Alex Bell's Nationalist credentials may be pretty good. The former presenter of BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland was on the SNP's approved list of candidates for the 1999 Scottish election.

He also used to help write Salmond's speeches and has worked as an adviser for him previously.

But a comment he made some years ago could come back to haunt him. When asked about his personal relationship with Salmond, Bell said: "He's OK, but, having worked together, I think we're both happy not exchanging Christmas cards."

SHONA SHINES

Well done Shona Robison, below, for agreeing to take part in yesterday's 13-mile section of the charity MoonWalk. The Public Health minister's participation would set an excellent example. It would also have provided a chance for her to catch up with another well-known Dundonian, Lorraine Kelly. No doubt the two women, both ardent Dundee Utd fans, would enjoy the chance to meet up and discuss United's chances in Europe following their victory in the Scottish Cup.