Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
In The Herald, UK political editor Michael Settle reports on a warning from the Institute for Government think-tank that while imposing Brexit was legally possible it went against the spirit of devolution.
The National features the Macleod family from Dingwall, who fought, with the help of the paper, against the threatened deportation of India-born Mrs Macleod.
The Mail says NHS Scotland is to give “an army of employees”, including care workers and civil servants, the power to ask people how much they drink.
Exclusive: In the Evening Times, Catriona Stewart reports on residents’ efforts to reopen Polmadie Bridge.
The FT says AT&T faces a “tough fight” to counter claims that its proposed takeover of Time Warner will not put too much media power in too few hands. It also features an op-ed from FM Nicola Sturgeon. See Afore Ye Go, below.
“Fears for child refugees as Calais camp is broken up” is the Guardian’s lead, with the events in Calais also leading in the Times and Telegraph. See Five in Five Seconds, below.
The Sun and Record report that an 11-year-old Rangers fan was hit on the head with a bottle as he walked to Hampden for yesterday’s Old Firm game.
Camley’s Cartoon
Camley takes a look at the comings and goings in France.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story? French authorities have begun a three-day bid to dismantle the camp near Calais known as the “Jungle”.
Brief history? The Jungle sprang up when the Sangatte refugee reception centre was closed in 2002. Reports put the number of people living there in tents and other temporary shelters at between 6000 and 10,000 residents. Among these are 1300 unaccompanied children, who will be staying in Calais until places can be found for them.
Where will people go? Police will put the migrants on 60 buses headed for new reception centres around France where they can claim asylum.
First time this has happened? The French have cleared parts of the camp before, only for them to be re-established. This time, following local pressure and increasing tension between the UK and France as to who should be responsible for the camp, a greater effort than ever before is to be put in.
Will people go? Some have already left, others say they will stay there and try to get to the UK. There were clashes over the weekend between police and migrants, and 1200 officers and officials be on hand today.
Afore Ye Go
"Can someone just like ... tape Nicola Sturgeon's mouth shut?"
A tweet by Raheem Kassam, Ukip leadership hopeful and former adviser to Nigel Farage, on June 9 this year. The tweet, now deleted from his account, was uncovered yesterday by @AdamBienkov and raised by Sky News' Beth Rigby. The Midge has chosen not to publish the rest of the tweet due to its offensive nature.
@BethRigby on sky reporting @RaheemKassam once tweeted nicola sturgeon should tape mouth shut. Shock horror. Is this really journalism? Sad
— John Hannan (@LongwaveJohn) October 23, 2016
Gawd @BethRigby it was a bad joke once made at the height of a debate. Chill out. I've deleted it! Good to see you this morning btw.
— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) October 23, 2016
What a nasty piece of work @RaheemKassam really is. Probably perfect for the UKIP leadership. https://t.co/Ipj8ONECS5
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) October 23, 2016
From SNP MP Stewart McDonald.
Cyber Nats targeting me tonight. Shows they're scared of us. We'll #MakeUKIPGreatAgain AND stop the SNP in their tracks.
— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) October 23, 2016
“Scotland is no mere consultee on Brexit, but instead a full and equal partner in the UK negotiations.”
Nicola Sturgeon, writing in the FT today ahead of talks with Theresa May in which the FM will raise the subject of a “flexible Brexit”, or bespoke deals for parts of the country and economy such as the City of London and the car industry.
"Unless Theresa May is prepared to listen and to accept the plan that Nicola Sturgeon is putting forward there will be another independence referendum in about two years' time. If I was Theresa May I'd tell my ministers to listen more to Scotland.”
Former FM Alex Salmond, Sunday Herald. Rob Stothard/Getty Images
"I don't think she will hold a referendum any time soon because she doesn't think she can win it. So why not get on with what she was elected to do and govern Scotland?”
Alistair Darling, former leader of Better Together. Scotland on Sunday. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Is this an approved ballroom move? #strictly https://t.co/3EViHFDsJ2
— Gaz Weetman (@GazWeetman) October 22, 2016
“That was the antithesis of smooth - plodding, pedestrian, I felt you were fighting each other all the way through.”
Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood gives a kicking to former Labour MP Ed Balls’s attempt at an American Smooth. The audience looked on in horror as Balls’s attempt at lifting Katya Jones almost went wrong.
New game at our house. 8-yr old daughter demands: "Be Ed Balls!" I then lift and drop her. Didn't see this one coming.
— Eddie Barnes (@EddieBarnes23) October 23, 2016
Meanwhile, back at the ranch of the Scottish Conservatives' director of communications, a new, Ed Balls-themed craze begins.
Balls is going to win this. It's a revolution, a movement. The light entertainment equivalent of Corbynistas + Momentum. #strictly @edballs
— Iain Martin (@iainmartin1) October 23, 2016
“All the talk so far has been of a hard or soft Brexit. I fear a dirty Brexit will be more accurate.”
Former Tory minister Nicky Morgan adds to the growing Brexit lexicon to describe exit without any deal being done. Jack Taylor/Getty Images
“You should have stuck with me, mate.”
David Cameron’s text to Boris Johnson after Michael Gove, above, announced in the days after the Leave victory that he was running for the Tory leadership. From Tim Shipman’s new book, All Out War. Carl Court/Getty Images
"Did you see the debate and the way of their speaking, accusing and mocking each other? Do we want such a democracy and election in our country?”
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on the Trump/Clinton televised debates. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Saturday Night Live's take on the third debate
@BBCJonSopel you gigantic knob. I hope Trump kicks your limey ass straight out. And makes you pay for the privilege.
— Clara Ffrench (@claraffrench) October 22, 2016
The BBC's North America editor finds himself the subject of criticism, but he can handle it.
My fan club is burgeoning... https://t.co/aZ4JLDvWgM
— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) October 23, 2016
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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