Parents of Linda Norgrove among Scots recognised in honours list
Nationwide's chief executive and the Scottish boss of Greggs are also honoured, along with a historian who was involved in creating the Great Tapestry of Scotland and the manager of a poppy factory.
John and Lorna Norgrove are both made OBEs for services to women and children abroad and in Scotland.
They set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation in memory of their daughter Linda, an aid worker who was kidnapped by the Taliban and died in an attempted rescue by US forces in October 2010.
The foundation funds education, health and childcare for women and children in Afghanistan.
Recently it worked with both the Scottish and UK governments to bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland to continue their degrees as they were barred by the Taliban from completing their university studies in Afghanistan.
The couple said: 'We are honoured to have received this recognition of the work being carried out by the Linda Norgrove Foundation.
'We are a tiny charity, mostly volunteers, who all share the same goal – to make life better for women and children in Afghanistan.
'We dedicate this honour to all those brave women who remain in Afghanistan, or who have made the decision to leave their homes and families behind to move abroad and continue their studies and careers. Their struggle continues and they are the real heroes of this story.'
Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy is made an MBE for political and public service.
She has been MSP for the Glasgow region since May 2021 and is the first permanent wheelchair user elected to the Scottish Parliament.
She said: 'I'm really, really proud to have been given this honour for the work that I've done in the community and for disability rights.
'It's a real honour to do this. When I got elected as an MSP, I said I was a wee working class woman in a wheelchair.
'To think that I could be a wee working class woman in a wheelchair who's also got an MBE, I just thought that was pretty special.'
Debbie Crosbie, the only woman to lead a 'big six' bank in the UK, has been given a damehood for her services to financial services.
Dame Debbie told the PA news agency: 'I try to encourage people to think beyond, 'I'm a female', but when it comes to this (honour), I am actually hugely proud.
'I grew up in Glasgow, I wasn't different to any of my peer group, so to be given the opportunity to lead… I've had a massively rewarding career.
'As a woman, I hope that sends a message of opportunity and hope, not just to young people.'
Roisin Currie, a fellow Glaswegian and alumnus of Strathclyde University, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to hospitality.
Ms Currie became the chief executive of Greggs in 2022 having joined the Newcastle-based bakery chain, popular for its sausage rolls, 12 years prior.
Historian Alistair Moffat, 74, who founded the Borders Book Festival, is also recognised in the list.
He becomes an MBE in recognition of services to literature and culture.
Mr Moffat founded the Borders Book Festival 22 years ago and was also a key figure in the creation of The Great Tapestry of Scotland in 2010.
News of the MBE comes as this year's book festival takes place.
Mr Moffat said: 'It is just a monumental bunch of flowers to get.
'One of the reasons was for starting the Borders Book Festival, which starts on Thursday.
'The announcement will be in the middle of the book festival, which started 22 years ago.
'It has a big, beneficial impact on the region, and it brings in lots of visitors. The MBE has been very well-timed.'
Others recognised include Charles Pelling, manager of the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.
He becomes an OBE in recognition of services to veterans.
A team of disabled ex-servicemen and women make all items for the Scottish Poppy Appeal at the factory, which was founded in 1926 by Lady Haig.
Major Pelling, who lives in Edinburgh, said: 'I am delighted to receive this honour.
'I hope it will highlight the ongoing and critical work that Lady Haig's Poppy Factory and Poppyscotland undertake every day with the veteran's community in Scotland.'
A social media influencer known as the Hillwalking Hijabi has also been recognised.
Zahrah Mahmood, 34, president of Ramblers Scotland, is made an MBE for her contribution to voluntary service in Scotland.
She said: 'If I'm being honest I'm still taking it in. I'm grateful, and I hope I can continue using whatever platform this brings to keep doing the work which matters to me and so many others.'
Others recognised include recently retired Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, who has been awarded the King's Police Medal (KPM), while the force's chief officer of human resources, Nicky Page, becomes an MBE for services to policing, equality and health.
Jenna Speirs, and her parents Caroline and Duncan Speirs, have each been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for the work they have done with the charity they started after Jenna's twin brother Calum died of cancer aged 12.
The trio, from the Isle of Bute, started Calum's Cabin after Calum, who had an inoperable brain tumour, died.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'The honours list showcases the remarkable achievements of individuals across Scotland who have gone above and beyond in their respective fields.
'Their service to our communities represents the spirit of dedication and excellence that makes Scotland proud.'
The King's Fire Service Medal is awarded to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's volunteer leader Gerry Ralston, and watch commander John Aitchison.
Sarah Stevenson, Scottish Ambulance Service corporate risk manager, receives the King's Ambulance Service Medal.
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said: 'My congratulations and thanks to the King's Birthday Honours recipients who have each made outstanding contributions to community and public life in Scotland.
'The recipients of the King's Police, Fire or Ambulance Service Medals demonstrate lives dedicated to keeping others safe and supporting communities. I sincerely thank them for their service and commitment.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Second refuge built through Independent campaign ready for family
The Independent 's Brick by Brick campaign has successfully completed its second safe house for women fleeing domestic abuse, which is now ready for families. The campaign, launched in partnership with Refuge, surpassed its fundraising goal, collecting over £585,000 from readers. Built by Persimmon Homes, the identical properties are in secret locations and feature enhanced security. The initiative addresses the nationwide shortage of refuge spaces for women and children escaping domestic violence. The campaign garnered significant support from royalty, politicians including the prime minister, and celebrities.
Scotsman
4 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Who's the Vylan of the piece?
In the wake of the Bob Vylan controversy, Douglas McConnell takes a look at Glastonbury, free speech and Scots law Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The 2025 Glastonbury Festival made headlines far beyond the music world when punk-rap duo Bob Vylan led the crowd in chants of 'Death to the IDF'. Broadcast live before being removed by the BBC, the incident prompted condemnation from political leaders and ignited a criminal investigation in England. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The controversy reopened complex questions about hate speech, protest and legal thresholds, especially in light of Scotland's newly enforced hate crime legislation. My colleague, David Duncan, wrote earlier this year about how Scotland's new hate crime laws apply to individuals. But this is something different – a public performance, broadcast to thousands, where the audience isn't just incidental, it's central. Bobby Vylan of the Bob Vylan duo at this year's Glastonbury festival (Picture:) Although the chant occurred in England, it provides a useful lens through which to examine how Scotland's Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, in force since April 2024, might address such speech. The Scottish legislation consolidates and updates previous hate crime statutes. It criminalises conduct that is: Threatening or abusive; and Intended to stir up hatred against groups defined by protected characteristics, including race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, transgender identity, age, and variations in sex characteristics. It also introduces specific 'stirring up hatred' offences, which require not only abusive or threatening language but clear intent to incite hatred. Notably, the Act includes built-in protections for freedom of expression, aiming to safeguard genuine political discourse and critical commentary that doesn't cross into incitement. Bob Vylan's chant against the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) presents a legal grey area. The IDF is a state military body, not itself a protected group. But if a court interpreted the chant as a stand-in for hostility toward Jewish people, it could potentially fall within the law's scope under religious or racial hatred provisions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In Scotland, the key prosecutorial questions would be: Did the performer intend to stir up hatred, not just express opposition to Israeli military policy? Was the chant directed at a protected group, or clearly framed as political dissent? How would a reasonable observer interpret its tone, content and impact? The Bob Vylan controversy reopened complex questions about hate speech, says Douglas McConnell The performers could argue the chant was rooted in protest against state violence, not hostility toward any religion or ethnicity. This would engage the Act's freedom of expression defence, which allows controversial views so long as they don't provoke hatred. While English law criminalises stirring up racial or religious hatred under the Public Order Act 1986, its focus is whether the speech is likely to stir up hatred, not whether it was intended. Scotland's Act, though broader in scope, has a higher evidentiary threshold – proof of intent. Nonetheless, the Scottish law's clarity and breadth could arguably make prosecution more viable, depending how courts interpret the chant's intent and implied meaning. Scotland's newer framework was designed to tackle modern hate expressions, including online speech and performance. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This controversy also taps into Scotland's wider cultural debates, and boundaries between 'cancel culture,' accountability, and censorship. Some view legal mechanisms as protections for vulnerable groups, while others fear the potential chilling effects on protest and dissent. Had the Glastonbury performance taken place in Scotland, prosecution under the 2021 Hate Crime Act would be possible, but far from guaranteed. Intent, interpretation and context would all be crucial. The law is designed to protect against dangerous hate speech while safeguarding freedom of expression, but navigating that line requires careful legal and cultural judgment. In the court of public opinion, the chant has already been met with disapproval. In a Scottish court, the outcome would be far more nuanced.
STV News
4 minutes ago
- STV News
Government wasting taxpayers' money on DEI, Tories claim as total hits £20m
The Scottish Government have been accused of 'wasting taxpayers' money' on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles and training as it emerged almost £20m has been spent in five years. Figures released to the party through freedom of information legislation found £19.98m has been spent between 2019-20 and 2024-25 in the NHS, councils, universities, the justice system and by the Scottish Government itself. DEI practices – which aim to increase representation of marginalised groups and reduce discrimination – have been under attack across the world in recent years, fuelled by the opposition of politicians like US President Donald Trump. Spending increased from £2.1m to £3.7m over that period, peaking at £4.3m in 2023-24. The NHS spent the most, with the bill coming to £8.9m in total. The total spend, however, is likely to be higher, due to a number of bodies not responding to the information request. Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton accused the Government of 'prioritising ideological projects' over the issues Scots most care about. 'Hard-pressed Scots will be outraged that the SNP have squandered millions on woke DEI training and roles, when they are making savage cuts to vital public services,' she said. 'This is yet another example of the SNP prioritising ideological projects over the issues that people actually care about. 'It's difficult to justify this level of spending when the NHS remains in permanent crisis mode, educational standards are plummeting, and Scotland continues to have the highest drug death rate in Europe. 'It's no wonder Scots are fed up with left-wing politicians at Holyrood. They're wasting taxpayers' money like it's going out of fashion. 'Only the Scottish Conservatives, with Russell Findlay at the helm, are committed to taking a claymore to this culture of waste and championing common-sense policies that put people's priorities first.' The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment. Since Mr Findlay took over as the leader of the Scottish Tories last year, the party has shifted to include a more populist tone – as he pushes for 'common sense' policies in Scotland – as it seeks to ward off the threat of Nigel Farage's Reform UK before next year's Holyrood elections. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
