Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Vigils for Jo Cox MP
- EU campaigning suspended
- Sturgeon asks officials to ready indyref2 plan
- Councillor launches defamation action against accuser
06.00 BBC Today headlines
Flags at half mast in Downing Street, Whitehall, Buckingham Palace … Pleas to recall parliament … Chancellor pays tribute … MP had complained of receiving “malicious communications” but not from arrested man … Labour holds Tooting in by-election … Two pioneering cancer drugs to be funded by NHS in England … IAAF to decide if Russia can compete at Olympics … British scientists lead international mission to reveal secrets of the deep.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines
Vigils ... Flags at half mast at Scottish Government buildings ... FM to host British-Irish Council meeting in Glasgow ... Medical student finally graduates.
Front pages
All the papers devote their front pages to the death of Jo Cox.
Kate Devlin in The Herald reports that the 41-year-old mother of two had become known in her short time in parliament for her work on behalf of Syrian refugees.
The National is among the papers quoting the statement from Mrs Cox’s husband, Brendan: “She would have wanted us to unite against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn’t have a creed, race, or religion, it is poisonous.”
The Evening Times quotes FM Nicola Sturgeon: “She was just doing her job. My heart breaks for her family.”
“What a tragic waste” is the Mail headline.
In the Telegraph, Michael Deacon writes that we should say more often that, as a rule, MPs are “decent people with honourable motives”.
Camley’s Cartoon
Jo Cox MP, 1974-2016
Five in five seconds: still feeling the Bern
1. Is it a bird, a plane, a concession speech, or a bargaining position? Followers of Bernie Sanders’ campaign for the Democratic nomination are still puzzled this morning after his address to supporters last night. Sanders had been expected to concede, and every sign was that he will, but not yet, not yet.
2. "Election days come and go,” he said, “but political and social revolutions that attempt to transform our society never end. The major political task that we face in the next five months is to make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly. And I personally intend to begin my role in that process in a very short period of time.But defeating Donald Trump cannot be our only goal. We must continue our grassroots efforts to create the America that we know we can become.”
3. He goes to the convention in Philadelphia in July with some 1900 delegates - not bad for a candidate some predicted would last weeks.
4. As for his opponent, he noted pointedly that he looked forward to working with her “to transform the Democratic Party so that it becomes a party of working people and young people, and not just wealthy campaign contributors”.
5. Why should Hillary care? Because 74-year-old Sanders is the key to getting out the youth vote, particularly young women, a constituency that played a crucial role in the election of Obama.
Afore Ye Go
“She was there when everyone else turned their backs.”
A constituent of Jo Cox MP.
Politicians all over the country will hold Friday surgeries today. We'll do so with heavy hearts. But it's what we do. May it never change.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 17, 2016
"This is a photograph, an accurate, un-doctored photograph."
Ukip leader Nigel Farage at the launch of a poster he claimed showed migrants queuing to get into the EU. Jack Taylor/Getty Images
“Disgusting.”
FM Nicola Sturgeon’s response to the poster.
"Even the Tories now say you can't trust the Tories with the NHS.”
Gordon Brown on Leave calls for more health service funding. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
"I have not 'already made (my) views known about the question in the forthcoming referendum', nor do I intend to share my private opinion other than via the anonymity of the ballot box.”
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney responds to a letter from Tory MP Bernard Jenkin accusing him of breaking impartiality rules.
"He's reacted very, very aggressive towards me."
Mr Jenkin hits back.
"It's an extraordinary thing that James [May] and I only agree on three things, which sandwich spread is delicious, the old Subaru Legacy Outback is a good car, and Britain staying in.”
Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson to pal and Oxfordshire neighbour David Cameron. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Meet the new arrival at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Weighing 130kg, the Asian elephant was named Elizabeth to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.
"Russian hooligans skintight shorts bumbags batty boy muscles ha ha I'd be more worried bout getting me a*** pinched LG X.”
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher on trouble at Euro 2016. Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images. Gallagher later apologised after Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton objected to the use of the phrase "batty boy”, a derogatory Jamaican term for a gay man.
“The best part is, they didn't have to hire a clown.”
The Late Late Show with James Corden on Donald Trump’s 70th birthday party. Branden Camp/Getty Images
“I'm sorry, I was drunk.”
A diner who returned to the Colorado restaurant where he accidentally left a $1088 tip. It is thought the man had believed the notes were single dollar bills rather than 100s. The owner of Thailicious gave him the money back and this time he left a $40 tip to say thanks. Denver Post via USA Today. Omar Havana/Getty Images
Thank you for reading. See you Monday.
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