Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley makes the transport punishment fit the crime.
Front pages
In The Herald, Kate Devlin and Michael Settle report on arguments presented to the Supreme Court hearing on Brexit by the Scottish Government’s most senior lawyer, Lord Advocate James Wolffe, QC.
Exclusive: Kathleen Nutt in The National says FM Nicola Sturgeon has rejected a deal Theresa May is considering to offer a second independence vote after Brexit.
“Sex abuse scandal engulfs Scottish football” is the headline in the Mail as it reports on the charging of a former youth coach with a child sex offence.
The Guardian reveals Boris Johnson’s criticisms of Saudia Arabia (see FFS, below).
The Times says advisors to the Scottish Government are investigating the possibility of Scotland making international deals on devolved matters after Brexit.
The Telegraph reports that the Chief Medical Officer, Prof Dame Sally Davies, 67, will today advise people it could be better for their health to keep working till 70.
The FT looks at today’s by-election in the Conservative seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham. Polls suggest Ukip could push Labour into third.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story?
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is in hot water again, this time for accusing Saudi Arabia (and Iran) of “puppeteering and playing proxy wars” in the Middle East.
Is this the same as last time he was in hot water, for reportedly telling EU ambassadors he supported freedom of movement? He simply denied saying that.
This time his comments, made at a conference in Rome last week, have been caught on footage released by the Guardian newspaper today.
Boris’s argument?
The region suffers from a lack of strong, visionary leadership. “There are politicians who are twisting and abusing religion and different strains of the same religion in order to further their own political objectives,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest political problems in the whole region. And the tragedy for me, and that’s why you have these proxy wars being fought the whole time in that area, is that there is not strong enough leadership in the countries themselves.”
Awkward?
Given UK arms sales to Saudia Arabia, particularly to fuel the conflict in Yemen, very. Would have been more so if the comments had emerged while PM Theresa May was still on her visit to the Gulf (above, with King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, left).
On the to-do list for the Foreign Office today?
To say over and over what a strong ally the Saudis have in the UK.
Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images
Afore Ye Go
Here's Thursday's complete #bbcqt panel - 10.45pm on BBC One: @sarahwollaston @RichardBurgon @Nigel_Farage @wself @LouiseMensch pic.twitter.com/5OqL7HGrUj
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) 7 December 2016
Hard hats on tonight for Question Time. Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson agrees (below).
Oh, dear Lord... https://t.co/JO4YTz1N11
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) 7 December 2016
"I hope my example reminds others to check their insurance and I remain committed to my work to improve Scotland's transport system for everyone.”
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf puts a positive face on things after being caught driving with no insurance. Jane Barlow/PA Wire
"Anyone could have found themselves in this situation, due process has been followed, Mr Yousaf himself has apologised, and we should move on.”
Tis the season of goodwill for Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw.
Man arrested Drunk & Disorderly throwing hamburger at police horse on @ManCity v @celticfc got £90 fine. Horse remains in stable condition
— GMP City Centre (@GMPCityCentre) 7 December 2016
Greater Manchester Police are caught in possession of a seriously bad pun after this week's game. This, in turn, sparked further copycat crimes:
@GMPCityCentre @kinghenke07 @ManCity @celticfc 👏🏻👏🏻thats the mane thing
— The Top Tims (@kurtschnider) 7 December 2016
@GMPCityCentre Police dogs now trying to figure out how to make clip-clop noises before next @ManCity home game in hope of getting lucky.
— Peter B (@PBSport) 7 December 2016
the answer has to be "neigh" @TeeSpirit @GMPCityCentre @ManCity @celticfc
— Mark Lewis (@MLewisLawyer) 7 December 2016
“Since we voted to leave the EU support for a second independence referendum has fallen, support for Scottish independence has fallen, support for the Scottish National Party and its secessionist sermonising has fallen, and the single most popular politician is Ruth Davidson - the only leader of any party that wants to embrace the result.”
Former Cabinet Minister Michael Gove sees nothing but good for the Scottish Conservatives in Brexit. Carl Court/Getty Images
The Paisley 2021 debate has brought out some fairly glorious ties at Holyrood pic.twitter.com/R9KXlTfhpM
— Philip Sim (@BBCPhilipSim) 7 December 2016
The BBC's Philip Sim moves from moustache watch to tie spy.
"The Common Fisheries Policy has not been a success for Scottish fisheries and I recognise that there are opportunities outside of the EU for our industry.”
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing, during a Holyrood debate ahead of next week’s annual December fisheries council in Brussels which will agree catches for 2017. Tory MSP Peter Chapman said the Scottish Government’s desire to stay in the EU meant it was sending “mixed messages”. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
splendid 'being made to listen to men who just won't stop talking' face from Thangam Debbonaire: pic.twitter.com/onsPQQMGsv
— Marie Le Conte (@youngvulgarian) 7 December 2016
The Labour MP, as observed by BuzzFeed's Marie Le Conte.
Tim Pigott-Smith plays Charles in an upcoming BBC drama, King Charles III. The 90-minute programme, based on Mike Barlett's Laurence Olivier award-winning play, will show the new king refusing to sign a controversial bill, sparking riots. BBC/Drama Republic/Robert Viglas /PA Wire
Hillary Clinton was runner-up. Nadav Kander for Time Magazine via AP
"I went to bed.”
First Lady Michelle Obama reveals she did not stay up to watch the Trump victory. People Magazine. Chip Somodevilla.
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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