Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Expectant mothers turned away from maternity unit
- Sturgeon says England’s NHS could learn from Scotland
- Annual loss at Prestwick Airport reaches £7m
- Councils/Holyrood funding stand-off spreads
06.00 BBC Today headlines
Thousands advised to evacuate homes on east coast of England due to flooding fears … Former MI6 spy in Trump row was hired to help with England bid to host 2018 World Cup … US Justice Dept begins inquiry into FBI role in campaign … Cyprus talks break for weekend … Fiat Chrysler questioned over emissions software … MPs say 4,400 Syrian refugees resettled but fears over support.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland
Scottish Government to make Universal Credit payments ‘more adaptable’ … More travel disruption expected … Aberdeen University begins cash drive for cancer facility … Scottish expertise on renewable energy to be used in China … Sharp rise in number of men working part-time for low pay.
Front pages
In The Herald, health correspondent Helen McArdle reports that women close to giving birth were turned away from an overcrowded maternity unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Exclusive: Kathleen Nutt in The National speaks to a leading Green MEP who says there are no barriers to an independent Scotland taking the UK’s place in the EU.
“So there’s no crisis, Nicola?” is the splash in the Mail as it details cancelled operations and patients waiting on trolleys for treatment.
The Times says callers to NHS 24 are waiting five minutes or more for an answer, despite a 30-seconds response time target.
In the Evening Times, Stacey Mullen reports on the jailing of a driver whose car flipped during a police chase in Glasgow.
The Daily Record reports that a 31-year-old man from Dunfermline suffered a heart attack and lay dying on a bus for nearly five hours with no-one coming to help.
The Guardian reports that the Crown Prosecution Service has been sent files on 23 suspects relating to the Hillsborough disaster.
The Daily Telegraph says there is to be a “year of celebration” marking Princess Diana’s achievements. 2017 is the 20th anniversary of her death.
“US turns fire on Fiat Chrysler over alleged emissions cheating” is the lead in the FT.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley reckons former police stations could be hot property among male buyers.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story? It’s a significant anniversary for Theresa May.
Paper, gold, diamond, what should one buy? It is six months today since she became PM.
How is she doing? According to data compiled by the Press Association from archive polls, she is still in her honeymoon period. Only Tony Blair in his prime can beat her in popularity.
Explain? PA looked at the government's average lead in the opinion polls six months after the appointment of a new prime minister. The lead is the number of percentage points (plus or minus) the prime minister's party has over the opposition:
Harold Macmillan (Jul 1957): minus 8
Alec Douglas-Home (Apr 1963): minus 15
Harold Wilson (Apr 1965): plus 9
Edward Heath (Dec 1970): plus 2
Harold Wilson (Sep 1974): plus 9
Jim Callaghan (Oct 1976): minus 15
Margaret Thatcher (Nov 1979): minus 5
John Major (May 1991): minus 6
Tony Blair (Nov 1997): plus 29
Gordon Brown (Dec 2007): minus 8
David Cameron (Nov 2010): plus 1
Theresa May (Jan 2017): plus 14
Will Downing Street be cracking open the fizz? Unlikely. Her much heralded speech on Brexit will take place next Tuesday, January 17, Downing Street confirmed yesterday.
Afore Ye Go
“My worry is that we are sleepwalking towards calamity.”
Former Nato Secretary General George Robertson in a Lords debate yesterday on the future capability of the UK armed forces.
“For the second military power in the west to shatter this year would be cataclysmic in geo-political terms.”
Former Nato Secretary General George Robertson, speaking in April 2014 about Scotland becoming independent. Above, campaigning for No with Jim Murphy, September 2014.
I like George. But there's only so often you can give apocalyptic speeches and expect each of them to be taken serious. https://t.co/NT448GHBZ3
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) January 12, 2017
From SNP MP John Nicolson
FM Nicola Sturgeon on Donald Trump. Daily Record.
Meanwhile, snow in London caused much comment:
Thoughts with everyone suffering #thundersnow in London. Shocking pictures coming through. pic.twitter.com/ghMsxDOmn7
— Muriel Gray (@ArtyBagger) January 12, 2017
I know I know nothing, but winter does seem to be coming..
— Jon Snow (@jonsnowC4) January 12, 2017
"Ooooooh it's snowing!" yelps half the newsroom, dashing to the window. It's like a primary school in here.
— Chris Mason (@ChrisMasonBBC) January 12, 2017
The London offices of Orbis Business Intelligence, run by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele, the man reported to be behind the dossier on Donald Trump. The Russian Embassy tweeted their suspicions that Mr Steele, who has gone into hiding, was still working for British intelligence.
Christopher Steele story: MI6 officers are never ex: briefing both ways - against Russia and US President pic.twitter.com/tJwLtLZs24
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) January 12, 2017
Here I am in the presidential suite at the Ritz Carlton-Moscow, all cozy in bed! And now to take a large sip of vodka and open up BuzzFeed
— Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) January 11, 2017
"I guess the lesson is we shouldn't be fooled by good-looking liberals no matter how well-spoken they are.”
Actress Jane Fonda criticises Canadian PM Justin Trudeau (above, with Prince William) for approving pipelines from the Alberta oil sands after allegedly having said he would not. Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“On Twitter, porn actress Jenna Jameson bashed Meryl Streep for her Golden Globe speech. Wow, it’s going to be awkward the next time Jameson and Streep do a movie together.” Conan O’Brien. Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images
"Trump Tower is open to the public.”
A spokesman for Donald Trump after French National Front leader Marine Le Pen (pictured earlier) was spotted in Trump Tower. CNN. Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images
Thanks for reading. See you Monday. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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