Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
Three exclusives fill the front page of The Herald. First, political correspondent Kate Devlin reports that a donor group which funded a Brexit campaign in Northern Ireland is switching its attention to the independence fight in Scotland.
Education correspondent Andrew Denholm says a group of parents with children at Scotland’s only state-funded single sex school want boys to be admitted.
Local government correspondent Gerry Braiden reveals that Labour is putting its money where its hopes are in a bid to hold Glasgow City Council.
The Mail leads on consumers’ fight for refunds after they were told to stop using tumble dryers that have caused hundreds of fires.
“Unacceptable” is the headline in The National, reporting Scottish Government ministers’ unhappiness at getting “absolutely nowhere” in a meeting with UK Agriculture Minister Andrea Leadsom to discuss Brexit.
The Guardian spotlights Storm Doris, which left one woman dead in the West Midlands.
The Telegraph reports Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale saying Jeremy Corbyn is not “mad keen” on the phrase “Act of Union” because it ignores Wales and Northern Ireland. Ms Dugdale opens her party’s conference in Perth today.
The Times says the Prince of Wales is backing a mass sterilisation scheme for grey squirrels.
The Evening Times makes an early bid for headline of the year with its report on free bus passes for elderly Glaswegians.
Camley’s cartoon
Allo, allo, allo says Camley. What’s all this about a lack of transparency on the Scottish Police Authority? Read the story by Paul Hutcheon here.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story? Last year’s #oscarssowhite could be followed on Sunday by #oscarssopolitical.
In English? Actors are expected to use the globally televised platform of the Academy Awards on Sunday to criticise Donald Trump and all his works.
Precedent? Recently, plenty. Meryl Streep slated him at the Golden Globes, and there were some gentle pops at the Baftas. Historically, the Oscars have been the occasion for some notable protests, as when Marlon Brando, who was up for an Oscar for The Godfather in 1973, sent a Native American, Sacheen Littlefeather, to refuse it on his behalf in protest at the treatment of her people by Hollywood and the US government. In 1993, Richard Gere spoke up for Tibet, and ten years later Michael Moore criticised the rush to war in Iraq.
All eyes on the stage on Sunday night then? There are protests happening off-stage, too, such as the United Talent Agency cancelling its annual Oscar party tonight and instead donating money to refugee relief and fighting the Trump travel ban.
Will the president be watching? We’ll be able to tell from the tweets later if he can still do business with showbusiness.
Afore Ye Go
“It's been very clear talking to people throughout this campaign that Jeremy Corbyn doesn't represent them."
Trudy Harrison, the Conservative victor in the traditionally Labour seat of Copeland. It is the first time a governing party has gained a seat in a vote outside of a general election since 1982. Peter Byrne/PA Wire
"We are not going anywhere, I'm not going anywhere.”
Ukip leader Paul Nuttall, who failed to take Stoke-on-Trent Central from Labour. Joe Giddens/PA Wire
WATCH: Nuttall Getaway "Where The F***s The Car?" [VIDEO] https://t.co/IGdPxEFU11 pic.twitter.com/DUPMZFFckc
— Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) February 24, 2017
Watch Ukip make its departure from the count, courtesy of Guido Fawkes. Warning: contains strong language
Give @paulnuttallukip credit- it's not easy to run an election campaign while playing lacrosse for Brazil and discovering penicillin.
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) February 24, 2017
"This isn't about Jeremy Corbyn."
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell on the loss of Copeland to the Tories. BBC Breakfast
"Both constituencies, like so many in Britain, have been let down by the political establishment. To win power to rebuild and transform Britain, Labour will go further to reconnect with voters and break with the failed political consensus."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
"I won't comment on them if you don't mind.”
Michael Gove on reports that Rupert Murdoch was in the room when the Tory MP interviewed Donald Trump for the Times. Christian Today website.
"The world is full of men who aren't up to the job, pushing themselves forward and loads of women who are up to the job who don't and for that moment I was probably one of them.”
Harriet Harman on not going for the Labour Party leadership. Carl Court/Getty Images
“The American flag behind Vice President Mike Pence during his speech in Brussels accidentally featured 51 stars instead of 50. In honor of the new 51st U.S. state — panic.”
Late Night with Seth Myers. Johannes Simon/Getty Images
"We are protesting the implied demand that women be silent and appreciate, regardless of whatever circumstances, their role as non-providers."
Molly Grace from Winston-Salem on why she and other women will hold a protest on Sunday about this billboard in North Carolina. The person who bought the space asked to remain anonymous. CNN. Photo: Triad City Beat.
15 metal albums whose titles are less dark than the Washington Post’s new motto: https://t.co/BHhvbDqEdU pic.twitter.com/FhkvRGJga3
— Slate (@Slate) February 23, 2017
WashPo's dramatic new masthead motto is causing a stir.
Thanks for reading. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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