Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- More job cuts ahead for oil and gas workers
- Teachers demand inquiry into "error-strewn" exam
- Scottish Labour considers going it alone
- Cameron leads cross-party push on EU
- How many Rangers supporters are there are Holyrood?
06.00 BBC Today headlines
Brexiteers say staying in EU will cost UK more … Remain camp dismiss claim … Scientists in California attempt to grow human organs in pigs … Three killed in train crash in Belgium … NPR photojournalist David Gilkey killed in Afghanistan … Study shows taking hormonal drugs for ten years reduces risk of bone cancer returning … Muhammad Ali returns home to Louisville.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines
Oil and gas job cuts ... Cardowan disturbance ... Scottish economy slowing more than expected say forecasters ... Woman dies after being hit by car on Skye ... Concerns over computer science paper ... Invention by Ayrshire brothers to revolutionise laying of NYC subway lines.
Front pages
In The Herald, Martin Williams reports on a Bank of Scotland survey showing 43% of oil and gas companies are planning further job cuts to deal with a price slump.
The National has a picture of Boris Johnson with a headline referencing John Major’s description of the leading Brexiteer as a "court jester". See Afore Ye Go.
The Mail has a poll showing almost two-thirds of Scots believe the Scottish Government’s Named Person scheme is an “unacceptable intrusion” into family life.
The Mail and Sun carry the last official portrait of Muhammad Ali, taken two months before his death at age 74.
The Telegraph splashes on David Cameron today joining forces with Labour, the LibDems and Greens to campaign against Brexit.
The Times reports that UK special forces are operating inside Syria.
Both the Sun and the Record report on a disturbance that occurred on a street in Cardowan, near Glasgow.
The FT says banks are training their staff in how to deal with concerned customers post-Brexit.
Camley’s Cartoon
Camley reckons there is a corner of heaven with Ali’s name on it.
Need to know: Andrew Neil
It has not been named as such by the BBC, but this is unofficially Andra week, when a certain ex-pupil of Paisley Grammar and Glasgow University is licensed to roam the airwaves even more than he does at the moment. Well, those airwaves not being taken up by ITV’s showpiece EU live events, that is. Given Mr Neil’s reputation as the new grand inquisitor in chief (Paxman now gone from the public memory), and his nose for a news-line honed in the offices of newspapers from the Sunday Times on, the evening encounters should be must see TV - particularly the one with the Chancellor on Wednesday. Here is the viewing week ahead:
Monday, June 6, BBC1, 19.30, Andrew Neil interviews Hillary Benn.
Tuesday, June 7, ITV1, 21.00, David Cameron and UKIP’s Nigel Farage in separate Q&A sessions.
Wednesday, June 8, BBC1, 19.30, Andrew Neil interviews George Osborne.
Thursday, June 9, ITV, 20.00, FM Nicola Sturgeon, Amber Rudd, energy secretary, and Labour’s Angela Eagle to represent Britain Stronger in Europe against Vote Leave’s Boris Johnson, Andrea Leadsom MP, and the Labour MP Gisela Stuart. Chair: Julie Etchingham.
Friday, June 10, BBC1, 19.30, Andrew Neil interviews Nigel Farage.
Afore ye go
“I am America. I am the part you won’t recognise. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own: get used to me.”
Muhammad Ali, born January 17, 1943, died June 3, 2016. Above, the O2 exhibition I Am the Greatest. Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images
“He’s a very engaging and charming court jester.”
Former PM John Major tries to cut Brexiteering Mr Johnson down to size. BBC Andrew Marr Show.
"Obviously there is going to be a temptation by one side or the other to try to turn it into a personality-driven conversation. My view about the EU has changed but that is because the EU has changed out of all recognition.”
Boris Johnson, also on the Marr show, denies he is backing Brexit to win the Tory leadership.
"Jeremy's not a passionate man.”
Former Deputy PM John Prescott says Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has to speak louder for Labour in the EU debate. BBC One Sunday Politics.
“I've seen how other people who have got more talent than I've got - like Gordon Brown - have found the whole process incredibly painful.”
Justice Secretary Michael Gove dismisses talk of him becoming Tory leader post-Cameron. Tim Shipman, Sunday Times. Carl Court/Getty Images
“The hope is that putting Boris up against such a strong line up of impressive women will fully expose Boris's bluster and buffoonery for what it really is, hot air. They won't let him get away with his usual antics.”
A Remain camper looks forward to Thursday’s ITV debate, in which Nicola Sturgeon, among others, takes on Boris Johnson. Sunday Telegraph. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
“She wants to know how it’s going and thinks In is the right answer. She has strong views. She is very green, always quizzing me on solar panels and flood defences.”
PM David Cameron on which side of the EU debate daughter Nancy, 12, is on. Mail on Sunday. Above, Nancy with dad at a 2007 wedding. Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“In this election year, I think anything can happen. In every public opinion poll, Bernie beats Trump by many more points than Hillary does. I think the Democrats, by the time of the convention, are going to have to decide – do they want to win or not?”
Filmmaker Michael Moore, whose new documentary, Where to Invade Next, is out on Friday, says a President Sanders is still a possibility. The Observer. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
“This is no time for madcap adventures. It’s time to send the Brexit mavericks packing.”
Former Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd also said Brexit would prompt another Scottish independence referendum, and it would be more likely to result in a Yes vote. Mail on Sunday. Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Crisis of Character: A White House Secret Service Officer Discloses His Firsthand Experience with Hillary, Bill, and How They Operate
Wordy title of the book by Gary Byrne, set to be published on June 28, which could spell trouble for the Democrat front-runner. The Drudge Report.
“I will now be attending parliament on Tuesday in order to defend the good name of Sports Direct on behalf of all of the great people who work here.”
The stand-off between Sports Direct chief Mike Ashley and the Commons’ Business, Innovation and Skills committee over his appearance appears to have been resolved. Clive Rose/Getty Images
Mums. Grannies. Friends.
— judy murray (@judmoo) June 5, 2016
Me and Djana Djokovic.
Toasting our sons. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/14iyeyCT9n
Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow
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