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

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, political correspondent Daniel Sanderson reports that Scottish firms have failed to secure a lucrative contract to decommission an offshore plant which will now be towed to Scandinavia. Unions want Holyrood and Westminster to do more to make Scotland a centre for decommissioning excellence. 

In The National, David Pratt says the end-game in Syria hinges on the fate of besieged Aleppo. 

The Herald: A task force to clean Glasgow’s streets has attracted 500 volunteers, reports the Evening Times. 

“An army of feral children is causing havoc across Scotland” claims the Mail, citing figures from the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration. 

The Times says the LibDems will today withdraw their support for the Scottish Government’s named person legislation. Writing for the paper, party leader Willie Rennie says the plan is suffering from “mission creep”. 

Scottish Secretary David Mundell will set out his “Team UK” approach to Brexit negotiations, says the Telegraph. 

The FT says Donald Trump will today promise to double US growth with new trade rules. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

It’s not the Twelfth yet, but Camley finds the hunting season has started.  

FFS: Five in five seconds

1. What’s the story? Donald Trump has attacked Hillary Clinton, saying “Honestly, I don’t think she’s all there”, and “she’s got problems”.

2. Basis of the attack? Trump zeroed in on Clinton saying she may have “short-circuited”, or misspoke, when describing what the FBI said about her use of a private email server while Secretary of State. According to her, the FBI described her answers as “truthful”. But FBI director James Comey said the inquiry had “no basis to conclude she lied to the FBI”. 

3. Trump has said far worse, chiefly calling her “Crooked Hillary”. What’s new this time? Trump is now mirroring her tactics, calling into question her fitness for office. At the same time, right-wing websites are running old pictures of her tripping, complete with captions such as: “Hillary conquers the stairs”. 

4. Cause for concern? No. Clinton has faced questions about her health before, and in 2015 took the unusual step of releasing a doctor’s report stating she was in fine fettle. 

5. The Clinton campaign’s response? “It’s unfortunate that Trump’s only method of dealing with his own disastrous week is to lash out with more absurd personal attacks.” 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

“The monarchy is a tricky issue for the SNP because it is within our social justice and social democracy left of centre agenda to look after migrant mothers living off welfare with lots of weans.”

Comedian and broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli, above, at a rally for SNP depute leadership contender Tommy Sheppard. Mail on Sunday. Eamonn M McCormack/Getty Images​

The Herald:

“Michael Gove leaked it to the Sun.”

Former LibDem leader Nick Clegg claims the former Justice Secretary was the source for the “Queen backs Brexit” story. As revealed in Brexit: The Battle for Britain, tonight, BBC2, 9pm.

The Herald:

“An honest 13”

President Obama’s handicap, as disclosed to David Feherty of the Golf Channel. He was 17 (handicap, not age) when he entered the White House. POTUS has played 299 rounds as president, and will make it 300 while on holiday in Martha’s Vineyard this week. CNN. Matthew Healey-Pool/Getty Images

The Herald:

"[My wife] Laura and I have been discussing his politics for some time. We were concerned about his ­disappointing individualism and lack of concern for others. Basically, we thought he was a bit of a Tory. But lately he has let the neighbourhood stray eat from his dish and they are beginning to become mates. So I’ve detected a gentler kind of politics coming out of El Gato.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on his cat. Sunday Mirror

And here's a picture of the little chap, and El Gato. 

The Herald:

“Frankly it was blatant cronyism.”

Labour leadership contender Owen Smith on David Cameron’s 59-name resignation honours list. Mr Smith said if leader he would impose a five-year ban on staffers, MPs and others receiving an honour. 

The Herald:

"The extension of the law to young people already considered adult enough to leave school, work, vote and marry seems disproportionate and, to many, absurd.”

Labour education spokesman Iain Gray writes to Education Secretary John Swinney, above, urging him to remove 16 to 18-year-olds from the named persons scheme.

But is he on the payroll we wonder?

The Herald:

“We cannot stand by and continue to allow [Chris] Packham to use the status the BBC has given him to spread propaganda.”

MP Simon Hart, Countryside Alliance chairman, writes to the BBC Trust after the Springwatch presenter called for a ban on grouse shooting. The Trust has launched an investigation. Hundreds of gamekeepers and their families gathered yesterday for a march at Edzell in Angus in defence of the “Twelfth” this Friday. John Phillips/Getty Images

One strongly suspects former Labour MP Tom Harris is deploying sarcasm here.

The Herald:

“Us Scots don't believe in waste.”

Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of the Queen, explains why the monarch has been serving up slices of the many cakes given to her by well-wishers for her 90th birthday as an after dinner nibble. John Stillwell/PA Wire

The Herald:

"Like Indiana Jones I really don't like snakes - although that might lead some to ask me why am I in politics.”

Prime Minister Theresa May. Neil Hall - WPA Pool/Getty Images

A news anchor never rests.

The Herald:

“Bill craves attention. Hillary really doesn’t care if people like her or not.”

White House photographer Robert McNeely, who spent six years with the Clintons in the 90s, will publish a book of his photos in January, by which time the former First Lady could be president. Edward Luce, FT Weekend Magazine. Win McNamee/Getty Images

One to file under "juvenile but amusing".

Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow. Follow me on Twitter @alisonmrowat