Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
In The Herald, education correspondent Andrew Denholm reports that Scotland’s Commissioner for Fair Access says top universities will have to lower entry grades for high demand courses, such as medicine, to give pupils from poorer backgrounds a greater chance.
“Trident secrecy backfires on Tories” is the headline in The National, which reports PM Theresa May was informed of the failed missile test before she asked the Commons to renew the nuclear deterrent.
“She DID know” is the Mirror’s splash.
The Times leads on a claim that the Obama administration asked David Cameron’s Downing Street to keep quiet about the failed missile test. See Afore Ye Go, below.
The Telegraph looks ahead to Theresa May’s visit to Washington on Friday, with a White House spokesman saying the special relationship could be even “closer”.
“Now baby food and biscuits linked to cancer” is the headline in the Mail, reporting new tests by the Food Standards Agency.
In the Evening Times, Catriona Stewart reports on the death of the horse that inspired the Kelpies artwork.
The FT leads on Donald Trump’s exit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, confirming that protectionism will be at the heart of his policy.
The Guardian says the UK Government has received legal advice warning against a single-clause bill if it loses the Supreme Court case, because it could leave the door open to future challenges.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story?
The US comedy show Saturday Night Live is at the centre of a Trump storm.
What has Alec Baldwin said now?
It’s not him. The row began after one of the show's writers, Katie Rich, posted a 'joke' on Twitter last Friday about the president’s son, Barron, 10.
Which was?
“Barron will be this country's first home-school shooter.”
Reaction?
The Tweet flew round America and further afield, prompting outrage. Among the critics was former “First Daughter” Chelsea Clinton, who said:“Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does – to be a kid.” Yesterday, Rich issued another tweet, saying: "I sincerely apologise for the insensitive tweet. I deeply regret my actions and offensive words. It was inexcusable and I'm so sorry."
Consequences for Rich?
Her employers, NBC, have yet to comment but the New York Times is reporting this morning that she has been suspended. Other writers say the president's youngest son should be strictly off-limits. Heidi Stevens of the Chicago Tribune writes: "He's a 10-year-old child and, unlike President Donald Trump's other offspring, highly unlikely to advise his dad on financial or political matters. He hasn't behaved in a way that invites judgment or rebuke. He asked for none of this."
CNN anchor Jake Tapper joined the condemnation:
That it even need be said is ridiculous, but mocking the 10-year-old child of a politician you loathe is odious, immoral, & self-defeating
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 21, 2017
Afore Ye Go
Was going on Good Morning Britain, didn't realise @piersmorgan was host. Won't go on with him after his comments about #WomensMarch
— Ewan McGregor (@mcgregor_ewan) January 24, 2017
Morgan said on Saturday: “Let’s be honest, ladies.. today’s Women’s March is just an anti-democratic protest at Trump winning the presidency.”
The GMB anchor was quick to hit back after McGregor's last minute cancellation:
And he wouldn't let it go ...
Vainspotting.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 24, 2017
“It was the Obama administration that asked the Cameron administration not to comment on this. The US administration may have been worried that there could be similar problems on other missiles. The British submarine successfully carried and launched the missile; the bit that went wrong was the US proprietary technology.”
A British military source on the lack of disclosure over the failed Trident missile test. Times
“[As] thick as two short planks.”
Labour MP Dennis Skinner’s assessment of President Trump, made as Mr Skinner questioned why the US president was briefed on the failed Trident missile test but not MPs. Leon Neal/Getty Images.
"Is it not the case that the unilateralists opposite who are complaining today are in the position of eunuchs complaining about the cost of Viagra?”
Tory MP Michael Gove in the same session. Jack Taylor/Getty Images
Trident. pic.twitter.com/Ov6A6bDIlV
— Jamie Ross (@JamieRoss7) January 23, 2017
Thanks to Jamie Ross of BuzzFeed news
"Applying different immigration rules to different parts of the UK would complicate the immigration system, harming its integrity and cause difficulties for employers who need the flexibility to deploy their staff over the UK.”
Home Secretary Amber Rudd rules out Scotland having its own post-Brexit immigration system. Tommy Sheppard, the SNP MP for Edinburgh East, said her response was “infused with both arrogance and complacency”. Leon Neal/Getty Images
Old habits die hard...
— Esther Webber (@estwebber) January 23, 2017
Baroness Boothroyd shouts "order!" in the Lords pic.twitter.com/M5YbXIC3X9
"I cannot think of two human beings with less natural chemical, biological or physical affinity than Donald Trump and Theresa May. He is extrovert and never stops talking. She seems to regard public communication as an infrequent and painful necessity like going to the dentist.”
Charles Moore, Margaret Thatcher's biographer, does not have high hopes of the Trump-May meet.
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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