'Diageo slams government's alcohol proposals'

Diageo will this week launch a scathing attack on the Scottish Government's clampdown on binge drinking, accusing it of failing to target those who misuse alcohol with a series of ineffective and unnecessary proposals that will penalise the responsible drinker. The proposals, currently out for consultation, include banning under-21s from buying alcohol in off-sales, a minimum price of alcohol per unit, and separate alcohol checkouts in supermarkets to deter impulse buys. But Diageo will warn that most of the proposals will not work as they "lack evidence", place the responsibility for tackling alcohol misuse on the shoulders of the drinks industry and fail to recognise the role of society, government and the individual in tackling alcohol misuse. The Guinness producer will call for a new system of co-regulation for alcohol promotions and a rigorous code of practice. - Scotland On Sunday​

Police fear a feud between security firms who supply pubs with door staff could erupt into violence. Osiris boss Marie Johnston, 41, is being probed by police who fear a war between bouncers. Johnston and husband Paul, 48, a crooked ex-policeman, have been at the centre of Scotland's securiwars for a decade. She is now accused of using threats to steal contracts at pubs and clubs from rival firm MTB. - Sunday Mail​

JD Wetherspoon is this week expected to post a near-11 per cent fall in full year profits. Chairman Tim Martin is likely to unveil pre-tax numbers of £55.4, down 10.6 per cent, as the effects of the smoking ban, the credit crunch and rinsing costs take their toll. Underlying sales are expected to have fallen by around one per cent during the 52 weeks to July 27, but analysts say this is a positive turnaround compared with the 1.5 per cent drop reported during the first nine months of the pub chain's financial year. - Scotland On Sunday​