Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
Exclusive: In The Herald, Paul Hutcheon reveals that senior staff at debt-ridden NHS Tayside drafted in former SNP MSP and ex-Public Audit Committee member Nigel Don to help them prepare for questioning by the committee.
Exclusive: Andrew Learmonth in The National says the half-marathon Great Scottish Run may have been 200 metres shorter than the year before, putting Olympic runner Callum Hawkins’s record into doubt.
The Mail says Glasgow University students being taught about “Jesus and cinema” were warned about graphic Crucifixion scenes.
The Guardian leads on Britain’s new man in Brussels, Sir Tim Barrow. The FT says the appointment of the career diplomat shows PM Theresa May has bowed to civil service pressure, while the Times reports a “mandarin revolt” over planning for Brexit.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley imagines former MSP Nigel Don could be much in demand after The Herald reveals his part in advising health board bosses before a Holyrood grilling.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story?
The UK’s new man in Brussels, Sir Tim Barrow, has been getting a taste of the limelight to come.
The official cv?
Age 52, private-school educated, joined Foreign Office 1986, career diplomat. Russian speaker, served in British embassy in Moscow from 1990-93, ambassador from 2011-15. Most recent job political director at FO. Two stints in Brussels.
The unofficial CV?
Wife Alison, four children. Fan of pen and paper rather than computer screen, rugby man, Bowie admirer, Archers addict (Times); “A real people person” (former Foreign Sec Douglas Alexander); “ Very ambitious … not obviously Eurosceptic … Not the most outspoken or controversial of people. He will do what he is told” (former colleague, FT); likes waistcoats (Guardian); “Tiggerish and irrepressible” (ex-colleague, Daily Express).
What does Downing Street say? “A seasoned and tough negotiator, with extensive experience of securing UK objectives in Brussels”.
Any dissenting voices? For now, just Ukip’s, with former leader Nigel Farage, who tweeted: "Good to see that the Government have replaced a knighted career diplomat with ... a knighted career diplomat.”
Afore Ye Go
BBC Today presenter Nick Robinson, who famously rowed with the SNP’s Alex Salmond during the referendum campaign, became involved in a Twitter spat yesterday with Douglas Carswell, after the Ukip MP accused Today of ignoring the good news about the post-Brexit vote British economy (as reported in a Spectator blog), in favour of focusing on the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers as the UK’s man in Brussels. See below. Above, Mr Robinson in the parliamentary pancake race for charity, 2009. Oli Scarff/Getty Images
"Yet there was none on this morning’s Today programme" @bbcnickrobinson https://t.co/GY3QXyYD4h
— Douglas Carswell MP (@DouglasCarswell) January 4, 2017
@DouglasCarswell Another reminder of why you're in your job and I'm in mine
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) January 4, 2017
@bbcnickrobinson I don not want your job. I just want fairness from the licence fee funded BBC
— Douglas Carswell MP (@DouglasCarswell) January 4, 2017
@DouglasCarswell Reporting the resignation of the UKREP ambassador does not need to be "balanced" by news more to your taste. It's just news
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) January 4, 2017
"You are terminated. Now get to the chopper.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger's new catchphrase as he takes over the US version of Celebrity Apprentice, once helmed by a certain Donald J Trump. Whatever happened to him? Frederick M Brown/Getty Images
“I can confirm there is more than one Asian guy involved in public life. I blame the job for ageing me so much.”
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, above, after someone on Twitter mistook him for prominent lawyer, Aamer Anwar. Mr Yousaf is 31, Mr Anwar 49. Sun. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.
Larry seen for the first time since Xmas is wearing his new Brexit collar this morning believed to be a gift from the PM !! pic.twitter.com/bWMTKrPShP
— Political Pictures (@PoliticalPics) January 4, 2017
Is Downing Street's Larry a Brexiteer, a Unionist, or just a cool cat with a snazzy new collar? Photo from Political Pictures.
"I became interested in showbusiness the moment I realised how heavy a hod was. Singing songs is a lot less exhausting than carrying bricks around.”
Sir Tom Jones, a judge on The Voice UK, recalling an early job on a building site. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images.
“I’m not saying the row is comically quaint but you wouldn’t rule out hearing that during its course, someone or other had furiously cast his periwig to the floor.”
Columnist Marina Hyde on Muirfield Golf Club staging another vote this month on whether it should allow women members. Guardian. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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