9am Briefing: Alistair Darling hits out at move to strip Goodwin knighthood

The decision by a committee of senior civil servants to remove the ex-RBS chief executive’s honour was welcomed by political leaders on all sides.

But Mr Darling, MP for Edinburgh South West, said: “There is something tawdry about the Government directing its fire at Fred Goodwin alone. If it’s right to annul his knighthood what about the honours of others who were involved in RBS and HBOS?”

Meanwhile, there was speculation the removal of Mr Goodwin’s knighthood would be followed by the withdrawal of another honour - the fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s most distinguished institutions.

• MITT Romney won the pivotal Republican primary in Florida today, thrashing rival Newt Gingrich and taking a big step towards becoming his party’s challenger to President Barack Obama.

With his win in Florida, by far the largest of the first four nominating contests, Mr Romney has recovered the political momentum he had lost after Mr Gingrich’s victory in the January 21 South Carolina primary.

Mr Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, vowed to fight on.

• THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to start selling tickets earlier than usual amid concerns about a clash with the London Olympics.

Big-name shows are already being promoted on the Fringe website and tickets for some events have already gone on sale via other websites, it was reported today.

And the Festival has revealed it will launch its full programme in May for the first time to boost early sales and avoid a clash with the celebrations to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

• ALEX Salmond looks set to switch the First Minister’s official residence from Bute House in Charlotte Square to the Governor’s House at Calton Hill after a study found the move would be cheaper than a revamp.

The A-listed mansion, complete with crenellated tower, was built for the former Calton Jail. It is now owned by the Scottish Government and is currently lying empty.

Edinburgh World Heritage director Adam Wilkinson said the relocation would help to continue the revival of Calton Hill, it was reported today.