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, UK political editor Michael Settle reports that PM Theresa May will today dismiss calls for a bespoke Scots deal on immigration, saying the country “must face the future together as one United Kingdom”.
The National spotlights the Holyrood report warning that Scotland would suffer economically from the departure of EU nationals.
The Mail reports on a new leaflet being handed out by GPs and hospitals which warns that parents who drink more than 14 units a week could be putting their children at risk of neglect.
The Times reports that a study of a £4m NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde scheme to help parents said there was no convincing evidence it worked.
The Telegraph leads on Scottish Secretary David Mundell saying he was not feart of an indyref2. See Afore Ye Go, below.
The Guardian pictures Marine Le Pen, leader of the Front National, who launched her bid for the French presidency yesterday with an attack on globalisation and Islamic fundamentalism.
“Brexit already having negative effect, say big business leaders” is the headline in the FT, reporting a survey of executives.
In the Evening Times, Vivienne Nicoll reports on a crackdown on graffiti in Glasgow.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley wonders if the West Wing has become nursery corner.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story? A journalist at the centre of an alleged SNP gagging row has removed his gag.
Explain? Stephen Daisley, digital politics and comment editor for STV’s website, resigned months after SNP MPs Pete Wishart and John Nicolson questioned his impartiality. Mr Daisley now has a new writing gig, with the Daily Mail. His first column appears this morning.
A provocative article? The main piece is about him not taking up a placard against Donald Trump and arguing for liberalism to find its backbone again. The article with the fireworks appeared on Saturday.
How? Headlined “SNP tried to silence me. And their freedom to bully, vilify and malign is a chilling glimpse of one-party Scotland”, Mr Daisley wrote: “JK Rowling did more to support me with her tweets than any of my editors at STV.” He went on to accuse “civic Scotland” of having an unhealthy relationship to power; says the National Union of Journalists could not be relied upon to stand up for a free press; and calls the government at Holyrood a “24-hour grievance hotline”.
Reaction? Muriel Gray was supportive, while John Nicolson appeared unimpressed. See below.
Blistering piece from the ever elegant writer @JournoStephen that is both terrifying and depressing. pic.twitter.com/VObe4Cfp8W
— Muriel Gray (@ArtyBagger) February 4, 2017
Understatement is such an art. https://t.co/jk89fnOR9n
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) February 4, 2017
Afore Ye Go
Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 5, 2017
Donald Trump hits at the judge who over-ruled his travel ban.
“She is someone I have worked with and known well for a long time who wanted somewhere to stay for a week that wouldn’t cost her any money. It’s a working relationship. You can inflate it however you want to.”
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage explains to the Mail on Sunday why he is sharing a house in London with Laure Ferrari, who runs Eurosceptic think-tank the Institute for Direct Democracy in Europe. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
“Clearly the right thing is that we stay together due to our history and because we are stronger. I also think your support will play well with establishment and in turn help your knighthood.”
How David Beckham’s agent, Simon Oliviera, persuaded him to come out against Scottish independence, according to emails published by Football Leaks and reported in the Sun. Beckham is alleged to have replied, “Ok, let’s do it.” A spokesman for Beckham said the material, in which Beckham complained of not receiving a knighthood, was “taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails.” Mike Coppola/Getty Images
“She should have had in her briefing, ‘This man is an identified groper, stay away’.”
Harriet Harman MP on how Theresa May could have avoided Donald Trump taking her hand before the cameras. Graham Norton Show. Ms Harman’s autobiography, A Woman’s Work, is out now. Jack Taylor/Getty Images
"I'm not feart of another referendum, as Nicola Sturgeon likes to suggest, because I think it is pretty clear the outcome would be the same. But I dread it because I think it would be a divisive and seriously unpleasant event which would set Scot against Scot and I don't think people want to see that.”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell (above, saying cheerio to Larry). BBC Sunday Politics Scotland. Leon Neal/Getty Images
"There are a lot of killers. What do you think? Our country's so innocent?”
Donald Trump, interviewed by Fox’s Bill O’Reilly, after the anchor questioned the president on state-sponsored murder in Putin's Russia. Ma Ping - Pool/Getty Images.
"I am a very lenient person.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn declines to say if if Labour frontbenchers who defy party orders in this week's Commons vote on the Brexit Bill will lose their jobs. BBC Radio 4 The World This Weekend. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
“It is nice to have a week with some fans.”
Former Home Secretary Kenneth Clarke following praise for his pro-EU speech in the Commons last week. Esther Addley, The Observer.
After Fey/Palin, Baldwin/Trump, SNL scores another success with this impersonation of White House press spokesman Sean Spicer by Bridesmaids' Melissa McCarthy.
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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