Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere. 

Front pages

The Herald:

Exclusive: In The Herald, social affairs correspondent Stephen Naysmith reports on the Royal College of Nursing Scotland’s claim that millions are to be cut from health and social care budgets. 

“Utterly pathetic” says The National, picturing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Inside, Andrew Learmonth reports on the latest reshuffle, and Nicola Sturgeon’s attack on Labour’s Brexit bill performance. 

“Sturgeon says sorry for MSP’s outburst over IRA” is the splash in the Mail. The paper says the FM has written to the families of three Scots IRA murder victims after SNP MSP John Mason’s twitter row.

The Herald:

The Guardian says there is a growing rebellion among Tory MPs over the Government’s decision to limit the number of unaccompanied child refugees entering the UK to just 350. The Archbishop of Canterbury says he is “saddened and shocked” by Theresa May’s decision. 

“Scotland can’t jump EU queue” is the splash in the Telegraph, reporting a European Commission official’s insistence that an independent Scotland would have to fall in behind Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzogovina in seeking EU membership. The same story appears in the Times. 

In a scoop for the FT, the paper reports that Rupert Murdoch was in the room when Michael Gove interviewed Donald Trump for the Times. Mr Gove’s piece made no mention of the fact. See Afore Ye Go. 

The Herald:

Exclusive: In the Evening Times, Hannah Rodger reports on the smashing of a traffiking ring in Glasgow. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley nails the Edinburgh schools construction row. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? The heat is back on the Speaker, John Bercow, after the Tory MP James Duddridge tabled a motion of no confidence. 

Why? Mr Bercow’s declaration last Monday that Donald Trump was not welcome to address parliament. The Speaker’s critics say he has politicised an office that should be neutral. 

Chances of success? According to Mr Duddridge, Mr Bercow could be tendering his resignation by the time the Commons returns a week on Monday. Ladbrokes has opened a book on his successor, putting Dep Speaker Lindsay Hoyle in pole position. 

In reality? Given Labour support, and, crucially, SNP backing, Mr Bercow should see off the bid to oust him. SNP MP Alex Salmond has already called for “Four more years” for the Speaker, and last night, SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh told BBC2’s Newsnight: “This is a modernising Speaker. James Duddridge has mentioned previously that he has an objection to a modernising Speaker, well I think we need to take the House of Commons into the 21st century and take it out of what would seem to be a Hogwarts type of debating society that many Tory MPs want it to be.”

Mr Bercow’s response? Mr Speaker has as yet chosen not to speak of the matter. 

Afore Ye Go

Donald Trump takes to Twitter after an appeal court refused to reinstate his travel ban on people from seven predominantly-Muslim nations.

The Herald:

"Can we have a statement on the shock and disappointment being felt across Scotland at the failure of former England captain David Beckham to gain a knighthood?”

SNP MP Alex Salmond, tongue firmly in cheek, to Commons Leader David Lidington. Mr Salmond said the England player had been advised that backing the No campaign could help in his bid for an honour. PA Wire

The Herald:

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was born in New York, has given up his American citizenship and returned his passport, it emerged yesterday. He began the process while he was London mayor. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire.

The Herald:

“I love how Nicola Sturgeon just takes no s***!”

Comedian James Corden on the FM branding Jeremy Corbyn’s efforts on the Brexit bill “pathetic” because he won no concessions. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Esquire.

Bianca Jagger also appears to be a fan:

The Herald:

"Mr Gove is currently paid £150,000 a year to write for The Times, which is owned by News Corp, on top of his salary as an MP. He did not respond to requests to comment."

The Financial Times reports that Rupert Murdoch was present when ex-Minister Michael Gove interviewed Donald Trump. There was no mention of this in Mr Gove's piece. Al Bello/Getty Images

The Herald:

From the Mirror's Kevin Maguire. 

The Herald:

“You kind of wish he’d get therapy, but at this stage it’s like hiring a window cleaner for a burning building.”

Frankie Boyle on Donald Trump. The Guardian. Win McNamee/Getty Images 

Scenes from the South African parliament.

The Herald:

"Go buy Ivanka's stuff.”

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, speaking from the White House, on the Nordstrom department store dropping the First Daughter’s clothing line. Fox News Channel via CNN. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

The Herald:

The Herald:

Judy Murray has put her home in Bridge of Allan on the market with Savills for offers over £825,000.

Thanks for reading. See you Monday. Twitter: @alisonmrowat