Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Scots Muslim leaders invite Trump to visit mosques
- Poll: Brexit vote would not boost support for indy
- Obama calls Clinton to congratulate her on nomination
- MPs urge EU voter registration extension as website struggles
- MSPs to debate Named Persons scheme
06.00 BBC Today headlines
MPs call for day’s extension on voter registration … Cameron/Farage exchanges … One of world’s most wanted people traffickers extradited to Rome … Clinton declares herself nominee … Sussex Police criticised for using restraints on neurologically disabled teenager … Researchers say using hands-free phone while driving just as dangerous … New BHS owner to appear before MPs.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines
Voter registration hitches ... Farage/Cameron ... Glasgow researchers find way to guage seriousness of heart attacks ... Named Person policy debated at Holyrood ... Sussex ... Clinton ... BHS owner ... Skill shortages hitting Scots economy.
Front pages
Exclusive: In The Herald, Kate Devlin reports that Muslim leaders are inviting Donald Trump to visit Scottish mosques when he arrives in the country on June 22.
The National pictures the Proclaimers, who are backing an Australian family’s fight to stay in Scotland.
The Evening Times has a special report on Glasgow’s night-time economy, saying it supports 33,000 jobs and is worth £5 billion.
“SNP’s white flag on NHS waiting times” is the headline in the Mail, which says Ministers have reacted to missing targets by reassessing them.
The same story is in the Record, which also reports that a Japanese tourist sang the Skye Boat Song for seven hours while he was held in a police cell. The man was fined £200 for being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit.
The Times reports that MPs are calling for a suspension of a British police training scheme for Saudi officers amid human rights fears.
Diesel car drivers could face tax rises, reports the Telegraph after the UK Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, said it was something the Chancellor will need to look at to cut pollution.
The FT and Guardian lead on Mike Ashley’s appearance before MPs. The Sports Direct boss admitted his firm’s work practices were under investigation over claims he had paid less than the minimum wage.
The Sun also leads on Mr Ashley, saying he was accused by a union leader of running a “gulag” at his Sports Direct HQ
Camley’s Cartoon
Camley rolls out the tartan carpet for Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland.
Five in five seconds: Cameron/Farage
There was a lack of fireworks in last night’s ITV encounter between PM David Cameron and Ukip’s Nigel Farage, chiefly because the two did not share a stage. Even so, in the first of this week’s live televised debates, audience members did land some punches. Here, in five quotes apiece, is a flavour of the night.
Cameron:
“I do worry about a second Scottish referendum if we vote to leave … You don't strengthen your country by leading to its break-up.”
“We can certainly survive outside the EU. The question is can we thrive?”
“I haven’t made a forecast.”
(On how many people will come to the UK if the country stays in.)
“We don’t want the little England of Nigel Farage. We want this Great Britain.”
“Reform doesn’t end on June 23 if we vote to stay in. Leaving is quitting.”
Farage:
“It’s done for.”
(On what sort of future lay ahead for the EU.)
“They’ve been wrong before and they are wrong again.”
(On forecasters who say Brexit would bring financial woes.)
"The real truth is that the population of this country is rising at a number where we need to value people's quality of life and standard of living and not just national GDP figures.”
(On immigration)
“We are not going to be bullied, charming though he is, by Jean-Claude Juncker [president of the European Commission]. We’re British. We’re better than that.”
“Just calm down there a little bit.”
(To woman audience member who accused him of scaremongering by raising the Cologne sex assaults.)
Afore ye go
“There are still ceilings to break.”
Hillary Clinton secures the delegates she needs to be the first woman nominated by a major party to run for president of the US. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
"Scotland would have control over substantial additional expenditure.”
Vote Leave campaigner Lord Owen, on a visit to Edinburgh, talks up the benefits of Brexit for Scotland. Jack Taylor/Getty Images.
“The Prime Minister says we need a proper debate about the facts but he is too chicken to take on anyone from the Vote Leave campaign head-to-head.”
Ukip MP Douglas Carswell, with Boris Johnson and Gisela Stuart
This will cause ripples. Unilever boss tells Channel 4 News that price of ice-cream will go up if we leave EU
— Jason Beattie (@JBeattieMirror) June 7, 2016
Scoop from the Daily Mirror's political editor
“When two-thirds of the population object to it as intrusion into family life, political common sense accepts that stubborn refusal to act will only cause long-term political grief.”
Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson calls for a repeal of the Scottish Government’s Named Person legislation. A Tory-led debate takes place in Holyrood today.
"Words fail me.”
Giving evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Committee, the Archbishop of Canterbury attacks Ukip leader Nigel Farage for blaming migrants for a causing traffic jam in which he was held up.
"Holding back the years, thinking of the fear I've had so long…”
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, above right, sings a few lines from a Simply Red song in response to criticism from Mick Hucknall that Jeremy Corbyn was not doing enough to defend the EU. Mr Watson was introducing Mr Corbyn at an unveiling of a new Labour In for Britain campaign poster on London's Southbank. Carl Court
"Some of our top people have come from zero-contract employment.”
Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley, appearing before MPs, defends practices at his warehouses.
"There are particular aspects of the BHS affair and of its governance over a number of years which, if I may use a technical term, stink.”
Former Tory Chancellor Lord Lawson. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images. The firm's new owner appears before MPs today.
"After two years of work it's a wonderful feeling to stand in Westminster Hall and see New Dawn lit up at last. She looks beautiful and seems to really belong in this remarkable space.”
Artist Mary Branson unveils the contemporary light sculpture which marks 150 years since John Stuart Mill MP presented the first mass petition calling for votes for women.
“The Special Bung”
Sun headline on story reporting that Chelsea FC had settled out of court with doctor Eva Carneiro, who brought a claim for unfair dismissal against the club. The former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, above, who once referred to himself as “the special one”, had been due to give evidence. The club apologised to Dr Carneiro “unreservedly”.
“There will be a lot of funny things that will be written, but in formal usage it will be 'former President Clinton' or 'Mrs Clinton’s husband President Clinton.”
Author and White House historian William Seale attempts to clear up the problem of what to call Bill Clinton - First Gentleman? - if his wife becomes president. USA Today. David McNew/Getty Images
My Audi A8 3.0 TDI SE Quattro Auto is for sale 72k FSH Excellent condition. Price £17,000 ONO. Tel 07446570574 pic.twitter.com/O1XEF2gtf1
— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) June 6, 2016
'Allo John, wanna buy a new motor? George Galloway is selling
Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow
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