内容摘要：The spokeswoman said Cotton did not attend as it would not be appropriate for him to take questions on specifics of the negotiations and offers, which were sensitive, and complex legal matters.

The spokeswoman said Cotton did not attend as it would not be appropriate for him to take questions on specifics of the negotiations and offers, which were sensitive, and complex legal matters.

Among the speakers on the opening day of the Borders Book Festival in Melrose is the comedian and documentary maker Sir Michael Palin.The festival will also see the announcement of the winner of the prestigious Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.

The latest edition - at its traditional Harmony Garden location - runs until Sunday.Festival director, Alistair Moffat, said: "We have packed the marquees with unmissable events that will keep audiences talking and thinking long after they head home."He said they hoped to offer "something for everyone" throughout its four days.

"The sun will shine brightly and constantly - but we do have our brand new transparent canopy for The Orchard - our tented food village - just in case," he added."The Borders Book Festival on a long, sunny June day is just magical - our own slice of heaven for the whole family to enjoy."

Alan Bett, head of literature and publishing at Creative Scotland, said the festival promised a "stellar line-up".

"Whether you're eager to meet your literary heroes or discover fresh voices to add to your reading list, this is the perfect chance for book enthusiasts across the Scottish Borders to immerse themselves in storytelling at its finest," he added.They get to wear their PE kit some days and wear wellies and coats so they can go outside regardless of the weather.

General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Pepe Di'Iasio agrees that playtime has been squeezed "by the drive to improve academic outcomes", but cautioned against an "overly prescriptive approach to play" as this may impact on other areas of the curriculum.have already made it a legal requirement for local authorities to ensure enough opportunities for children to play.

The commission in England is calling for a national play strategy with an annual budget of £125m, led by a minister with a responsibility for play.Baroness Anne Longfield from the Centre for Young Lives think tank, who worked on the report, said it should provide a "blueprint for how we can get children playing again and also tackle the scourge of addictive doom-scrolling".