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

Front pages

The Herald:

Exclusive: In The Herald, deputy business editor Scott Wright has the inside story on RBS’s failure to sell the Williams and Glyn branch network to satisfy EU state aid rules. 

Also on the front, political editor Tom Gordon reveals that Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will announce help for businesses hit by rates rises. The move follows a campaign by the paper. 

“Victory! SNP in tax hike U-turn” is the Mail’s splash. 

The National leads on the Scottish protests against Donald Trump’s state visit. 

The Times says police have been called in to investigate allegations of corruption at Glasgow City Council. 

The Guardian highlights a new US study which says telling long-winded anecdotes could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s. 

The Telegraph pictures PM Theresa May looking on as the Lords debate the Article 50 bill. “Prime Minister’s game of thrones” is the headline. 

The Herald:

In the Evening Times, Glasgow residents speak out about the blight of fly-tipping. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley’s sees a ship come in for businesses struggling with rates rises.  

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh attempted to downplay Donald Trump’s “grab women by the p****” remark in front of women SNP MPs. 

How did that go? Not well. MPs were debating the state visit of the new president when the member for Gainsborough brought up the Trump remarks. “Of course what he said, what he is reported to have said in a private conversation, is absolutely horrible and ridiculous and I hope none of us would make it,” said Sir Edward. “But which one of us has not made some ridiculous sexual comment some time in our past? Well, in private, you know. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, all right? He’s apologised. That's not really a reason to withdraw an inv…” At that point, Hannah Bardell intervened. She was followed later by Carol Monaghan.

Who said? “Unlike the Member for Gainsborough, I do not know any men who think this or have these thoughts or even discuss them in the locker room. But then again I move in different circles.” After that it was Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh. 

Who extended the hand of forgiveness to Sir Edward? Not quite. Condemning his remarks, she said: “It is unacceptable that the Member even thinks it’s the right thing to bring into this forum. It is never, ever ok to make comments of a sexual nature for anybody... The women of this House have had enough of it and we’re certainly not going to put up with any more of it in this chamber.”

The rest of the debate passed peacefully? Hardly. Another Tory MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, still on the Trump remarks, said: "What complaint did you make when Emperor Hirohito came here, who was responsible for the rape of Nanking?”

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

“I was a Remainer. Not I might say because of my pension rights but because I am a patriot. A patriot rather than a nationalist.”

Lord Mandelson during the Lords debate on triggering Article 50. Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images

The Herald:

“Trump claimed to have had the biggest electoral win since Reagan, and when a reporter pointed out that was false, Trump responded with, and I quote, ’I’ve seen that information around.’ Around? He saw this information ‘around?’ What, like it was tacked to a bulletin board next to guitar lessons and a picture of a lost cat?”

Conan O’Brien, above. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Children's Defence Fund

It takes all sorts to make a Trump protest.

The Herald:

“Why was it easier to understand the Germans speaking English than the indigenous population? Ban the mumbling please BBC.”

Another Sunday night drama, SSGB, another batch of complaints to the BBC about mumbling. BBC

The Herald:

Abraham Lincoln

No surprise as to who topped the Presidential Historians Survey poll on the best US president overall. Barack Obama was 12th. Bill Clinton was 15th, George W Bush 33rd. Alexander Gardner/U.S. Library of Congress via Getty Images

Is the Scottish Conservatives leader getting in some training for election season?

The New Yorker looks forward to a more diverse Oscars on Sunday. Thanks to Sasha Stone.

Thanks for reading. Twitter: @alisonmrowat