Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- SNP publishes Brexit tests
- MPs brand ex-BHS chief “unacceptable face of capitalism”
- Theresa May visits Northern Ireland
- Oil tycoon says no to indyref2
Front pages
In The Herald, political editor Magnus Gardham reports on the five tests, to be set out by FM Nicola Sturgeon today, that could determine whether Scotland faces indyref2 within two years.
The National pictures the Brain family from Australia, whose bid to stay in Dingwall has been dealt a blow by the withdrawal of a job offer.
“The shaming of Sir Shifty” is the headline in the Mail, which sets out the damning conclusions of a report into the collapse of BHS by MPs. “How long can he cling on to his gong?” asks the paper. The Times calls the report “devastating”.
The Evening Times has pictures from a soggy but lively Springburn Carnival.
The Telegraph and the FT picture three-times Tour de France winner Chris Froome toasting his victory with champagne.
The FT also reports that the Guardian Media Group will this week report a record total pre-tax loss of £173 million.
The Guardian says Labour’s leader in the Lords, Angela Smith, is endorsing Owen Smith in the party’s leadership race.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley finds bargains to be had in the sorry tale of BHS.
Ten in ten seconds: Hillary takes the stage
1. What’s the story? The Democratic Convention opens today in Philadelphia, city of brotherly love.
2. Are we feeling the brotherly or sisterly love? Not yet. There is already a row and a resignation.
3. Not over the VP pick of Tim Kaine? No, the Virginia senator is the safe pair of hands as advertised. The row is over emails.
4. Hillary’s? That’s old news. No, these are thousands of emails, released at the weekend by WikiLeaks, from party organisers the Democratic National Committee. The emails appear to show what Bernie Sanders’ supporters always alleged - that party leaders were biased towards Hillary from the off.
5. Who has resigned? Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the DNC (below).
6. How significant? Important to Sanders supporters, who feel their man has been increasingly sidelined, but nationally more noteworthy in that it tears the scab from the Hillary scandal again. Though the FBI ruled Clinton would not be charged with anything over her use of a private email server while Secretary of State, it said she had been “extremely careless”. As of last week, the Republicans have adopted “Lock her up!” as an unofficial chant.
7. Things can only get better then? That refrain sounds familiar. They will certainly get bitter, with the Democrats set to focus on Donald Trump’s character the way the Republicans did on Hillary’s.
8. Expect? Much talk of how dangerous he is, and how his pledge of last week, “I alone can fix it” is a threat to democracy.
9. Who is on the speakers list? Tonight it’s Bernie Sanders and Michelle Obama (speech NOT written by Melania Trump), tomorrow is Bill Clinton, Wednesday is Obama and VP Joe Biden, with the convention closing on Thursday with Hillary’s acceptance of the nomination. Wednesday also sees a newsworthy endorsement of Hillary.
10. Not from Ted Cruz? Things are not that crazy yet. It’s from billionaire businessman, former New York mayor, and noted independent Michael Bloomberg.
Afore Ye Go
“Stupid. English. People.”
Actor Alan Cumming knows who he blames for the Brexit result. Brian Beacom, Sunday Herald. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
"If the English were stupid to vote for Leave then what does that make the one million Scots who voted Leave? It is such a horrible, nasty, divisive thing to say and doesn't do the nationalist cause any good."
Former Labour MP and Leave campaigner Tom Harris. Daily Express
I apologise if my 'stupid English people' comment caused offense. I guess I'm just a daft jock who assumes people still find humour amusing
— Alan Cumming (@Alancumming) July 24, 2016
Alan Cumming responds
.@johnmcdonnellMP looks straight into the camera: "We've got to stop this now. We've got to unite"#marr https://t.co/LmXjhl3CgN
— The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) July 24, 2016
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell after former shadow minister Seema Malhotra said she had lodged a complaint with the Speaker after staff working for Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell entered her office without permission. Mr McDonnell said it had “obviously been an error”. BBC Andrew Marr.
"Only four people lost their jobs for the Iraq War, and two of us are on this sofa." LIVE on @GMB with @piersmorgan @susannareid100
— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) July 25, 2016
"I'm a born optimist. We are going to have to pick ourselves up and find a way out of this mess.”
Bourne director Paul Greengrass on Brexit. BBC. The new film, Jason Bourne, starring Matt Damon, above, is out on Wednesday. Jemal Countess/Getty Images
Spineless gutless decision by IOC not to ban the cheat machine that is Russia's Olympic team #trulyincrediblenotfitforpurpose
— Nicholas Soames (@nsoamesmp) July 24, 2016
It can surely only be a matter of time before Nicholas Soames is appointed deputy to Boris at the FO.
Breaking news from Broadcasting House: the taps don't work&the toilets don't flush. I'll appear on air crossed legged&with a peg on my nose
— Chris Mason (@ChrisMasonBBC) July 24, 2016
Anyone got the number of a plumber for the BBC?
"He is everything Donald Trump is not. He is a progressive who likes to get things done. That's just my kind of guy.”
Hillary Clinton on her presidential running mate Tim Kaine. Gustavo Kaballero/Getty Images
“I am boring.”
Citizen Kaine on Meet the Press last month. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
“Tim Kaine is, and always has been, owned by the banks. Bernie supporters are outraged, was their last choice. Bernie fought for nothing!”
Donald Trump’s view of Hillary’s VP pick
12-mile tailbacks and 15-hour waits
As endured by travellers heading towards Dover at the weekend. Police blamed holiday traffic and extra security checks in France. One Tory MP, Andrew Bridgen, told the Telegraph he hoped it was not a “reaction to Brexit”. Yui Mok/PA Wire
“Hardie would be horrified that the Labour Party, who were created to win representation and power in Parliament, look so far from being able to do that at the moment.”
Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith, who agreed with the suggestion that party founder Keir Hardie would be spinning in his grave. Sunday Mail. Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
"Just watch Mummy Theresa's first Prime Minister's questions. People are saying she is a bit like Thatcher. No, she is much better. She has great comic timing.”
John Cleese is impressed by the new PM. Matt Cardy/Getty Images
Bicycles, drones, pepper spray, selfie-sticks, animals, ammunition ...
On the banned list as delegates gather for the Democrat convention in Philadelpia. USA Today.
EXCLUSIVE: Why President Obama's half-brother says he'll be voting for Donald Trump https://t.co/hxlCg8T30E pic.twitter.com/81zpspqFQL
— New York Post (@nypost) July 24, 2016
Wow, President Obama's brother, Malik, just announced that he is voting for me. Was probably treated badly by president-like everybody else!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2016
Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow.
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