I'd always been interested in the referendum. Followed every bit of it. Was as surprised as anybody at the result. When I saw that they needed new people for the transition, experienced people, I jumped at the chance.

Scotland has gained independence. It's the eve of the Scottish Foreign Minister giving her first public address and in half an hour she is due to make a keynote speech outlining the nation's relationship with its neighbours in the former UK. There is a problem. Aside from being on the brink of giving birth, she is refusing to speak the form of words she's been...