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

Today

06.00 BBC Today headlines

Senior Democrats step up demands for US Attorney General to quit … Theresa May to tell Scots Tories it is ‘personal priority’ to keep Scotland in UK … Number working on zero hours contracts close to one million … Cumbria Police investigation into toddler death criticised … North Yorkshire pub named pub of  the year. 

07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland

May addresses Tory conference in Glasgow ... Trump accuses opponents of witch-hunt ... Nato Supreme Commander says west must do more to counter Russian cyber interference ... Offshore oil and gas projects hit by delays and overspends says study ... Scientists develop artificial embryos ... Scots warned over sweet consumption.  

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, political correspondent Kate Devlin says Theresa May will use her speech at the Scottish Conservatives conference in Glasgow to accuse the SNP of treating issues such as education as a game. 

“May savages failing SNP” is the headline in the Mail.

“We’ll beat separatists” is the Telegraph’s take, with Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson saying No could win by an even bigger margin if another referendum is held. 

The National says Scots universities have issued a “list of demands” to Scottish and UK governments to protect the sector after Brexit. 

The Times says Scottish Government ministers are drawing up plans to criminalise the emotional neglect of children, including ignoring crying babies. 

The Guardian leads on its interview with the new MI6 chief, Alex Younger. See Afore Ye Go, below. 

The Herald:

The Evening Times pays tribute to a local and international hero. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Sturgeon and May talk obsession. Other perfumes are available. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story?

There’s trouble in the Trump White House, reaching all the way to his closest lieutenants. 

No, no, no. Haven’t you heard that there has been a turnaround since that oh so presidential speech to Congress?

Yes, well, a day is a long time in contemporary US politics. 

Who is taking the heat now?

First, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has recused himself from any investigation into Russian interference in America's 2016 presidential election. Mr Sessions had been under pressure for not telling Congress he had twice spoken with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, during the campaign. 

Anyone else under fire?

Vice President Mike Pence. The Indianapolis Star has reported that Mr Pence, while Indiana’s governor, used a private email account to conduct public business. Mr Pence was among those leading the attack on Hillary Clinton for using a private server. 

Responses?

The boss has waded in on Mr Sessions’ behalf on Twitter. Describing him as “an honest man” who had not done anything wrong, he conceded that Mr Sessions "could have stated his response more accurately, but it was clearly not intentional”. Mr Trump concludes: “This is a total witch hunt!” As for Mr Pence, a spokesman for Mr Pence said comparisons with Ms Clinton were “absurd” because he did not handle classified material. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

“I can’t knit. I do like flower arranging though. That surprises some people.”

Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson. Times. Carl Court/Getty Images

It's, er, not quite standing room only as the Scottish Conservatives conference gets underway in Glasgow.

The Herald:

Happy days are here at an American-style diner at Holyrood Secondary in Glasgow - the first of its kind in UK schools. The menu features BBQ chicken, quesadillas, chilli dogs and burritos - all conforming to Scottish Government nutritional legislation. Glasgow City Council hopes the new venture will stop pupils leaving school at break time and buying fast food. Ian Watson/PA Wire

Thanks to Spectator editor Fraser Nelson.

The Herald:

"That was the way I was recruited. We have to go to people that would not have thought of being recruited to MI6. We need to reflect the society we live in.”

Alex Younger, aka “C”, says the service is going back to old school “tap on the back” recruitment methods to bring in people from a wider range of backgrounds. Guardian. Foreign and Commonwealth Office/PA Wire 

The Herald:

“President Trump said he is going to ‘save people’ from Obamacare. Kinda like how that iceberg ‘rescued’ the Titanic from having to go to New York.”

Late Night with Seth Myers. Aude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images

The Herald:

“Trump’s new Commerce Secretary is the vice-chairman of a bank that’s owned by Vladimir Putin. You can tell the bank is owned by Putin, because both the pens AND the tellers are chained to the desk.”

The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Adam Berry/Getty Images

The Herald:

So they held a quiz to find out who had the smartest political reporters at Westminster and the Scottish contingent unaccountably came bottom. We can only assume The Herald's team of Mike "Mensa" Settle and Kate "Two Brains" Devlin were busy working that night. Thanks to Matt Chorley of the Times. 

Still on matters media, that lovely man Tom Hanks has gifted a little something to reporters covering the White House. Do you want milk with that run for the presidency, Tom?

This is the last regular Midge; to be continued when events demand. Thanks for reading. Twitter: @alisonmrowat