AS a fellow football fan, I’ve welcomed the campaigning efforts of my SNP colleague Gavin Newlands MP to ensure more of Scotland men’s and women’s national football team matches are shown on terrestrial TV.

This was something I first raised prior to being elected as I presented a petition in the Scottish Parliament.

I’m pleased that the Scottish Government has launched an evaluation ahead of making the case to the UK Government that major Scotland men’s and women’s national football team qualifier matches should be available on free-to-air broadcast.

I agree that national sporting events, such as Scotland's men's and women's football qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championships, should be included in the list of matches protected for free-to-air broadcast to expand the opportunity for audiences to enjoy these games.

Scotland matches in major men’s and women’s tournaments are on the protected list, but qualifiers are not, and this consultation will examine the case to close that loophole.

UEFA holds the rights to these matches, and they are often sold to the highest bidder – regardless of who they are.

I would encourage constituents who agree that more Scotland men’s and women’s national football team matches should be protected for free-to-air broadcast, to engage with this consultation when it’s published.

Next, I want to comment on the tragic news that seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers were killed in Gaza by an Israeli air strike. Three of the aid workers were British citizens.

The food charity said those killed were part of an aid convoy that was leaving a warehouse in central Gaza on Monday, as they are one of the main suppliers of desperately needed aid to Gaza. WCK also confirmed that it had co-ordinated the convoy's movements with the Israeli Defence Forces when it was hit.

The Israeli Government nor Hamas should be above accountability. Neither can the UK Government, who continue to send arms to Israel despite the fact they have killed children, women, aid workers and bombed hospitals, schools and refugee camps.

Since October, I’ve been contacted by numerous constituents asking what my position is on the conflict in Gaza, and what my party are doing in government to help alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.

I’ve previously commended the First Minister for speaking out on this subject, and I’m pleased that the SNP has led the calls in the UK for an immediate ceasefire. We’re also now leading the calls for an end to the sale of arms to Israel. Every country has a right to defend itself but I’m sure the vast majority of public opinion locally, nationally and at UK level will be for a ceasefire now.

It is hugely disappointing that Sir Keir Starmer, the potential next Prime Minister if opinion polls are to be believed, has a national (UK) campaign co-ordinator who has backed the continued sale of arms to Israel.