Police Scotland turn away media from firearms briefing
Police Scotland has banned certain members of the media from attending a briefing to Highland Council on its controversial guns policy.
The Inverness-based Scottish Provincial Press group, which owns the Strathy, Highland News, the Inverness Courier and 13 other titles across the Highlands, has been turned away from the event at the Inverness headquarters.
The BBC has also not been invited to the event. Full access has been given to just one newspaper group.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "It was a private briefing for councillors. Another newspaper have asked if they could attend. We accepted that request."
More than 400 police officers across Scotland - 30 in the Highlands and Islands - were authorised in early 2013 to carry handguns in holsters while on routine patrol.
The radical change to the style of Highland policing came to light only a few weeks ago.
Highland councillors are not in favour of the change and are calling on Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House to review the decision.
