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

Today

06.00 BBC Today headlines

Justice Secretary to hold talks with Prison Officers Association on tackling rising violence in jails in England and Wales … MPs call for Environment Agency to be stripped of managing England’s flood risk … Member of armed forces killed during training exercise at RAF Tain north of Inverness … Mayor of London  launches inquiry into growing cost of converting Olympic stadium to football ground … Irish Government to hold “all Ireland” talks on implications of Brexit but Unionist parties at Stormont not taking part.

07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines

Death at RAF Tain ... Mosul fighting intensifies ... MSPs to vote on Football Act motion ... Too early to judge Evel, says Lords committee ... Irish Government forum ... Scottish Power warning on wind farms. 

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, political correspondent Kate Devlin looks at a report for the Lords Constitution Committee, while on the wing, Gerry Braiden, senior reporter, reveals that the SNP has suspended a councillor in Glasgow following a probe into irregularities surrounding his personal records. 

“Sly banks cash in on debt boom” is the splash in the Mail, which says banks have hiked rates and fees on credit cards. 

The Herald: In the Evening Times, Vivienne Nicoll reports on research estimating benefits claimants in Glasgow will lose £167 million a year from new welfare reforms. 

The National launches a roadshow to mark its second birthday.

The Times, i, and Express feature Donald Trump’s shock poll lead. See FFS.

The Telegraph says there is “fury” over Keith Vaz’s reappointment to the Commons Justice Committee weeks after he was forced to resign from the Home Affairs Committee after a newspaper scandal.

“Final straw” is the headline in the Record, which urges readers to contact Work and Pensions Secretary Damien Green over the DWP’s refusal to give a bereavement grant to a widower to pay for his wife’s funeral.  

The Guardian reports that a leading insurance company is to use individuals’ social media posts to help set the price of policies.  

The FT says Australia is tightening visa rules after a rush of inquiries from British junior doctors. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley is the guy to watch as the Lords issue a warning on English Votes for English Laws.  

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? 

A new poll puts Donald Trump ahead of Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House with six days to go.   

Hasn’t that happened before? Rogue polls, outliers, all that jazz? 

This one is from respected sources: ABC News/Washington Post. Significantly, it was taken after the Clinton email row reignited.

What are the scores on the doors?

Trump 46%, Clinton 45%, albeit with a 3% margin of error. What should concern the Clinton camp are the attitudes of Democrat voters, with the number of those who say they are “very enthusiastic” about supporting her down by 7% to 45%. That could yet affect turnout in key states on the day. 

But it is still just one poll, correct?

Right. CNN, which runs a poll of polls, still has Clinton ahead 46% to 42%. Nevertheless, the Republican nominee is delighted.

Happy days for Trump?

Mixed. Remember Clinton accusing him in a televised debate of spending $20,000 from his own charity on a six-foot tall portrait of himself? David Fahrenthold, the Washington Post reporter who broke the original story, now has a picture of it. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald: Celtic and Rangers fans at an Old Firm game.

“That the Parliament … notes with concern that the legal profession has repeatedly criticised the 2012 Act for being unworkable and badly drafted; regrets that the Scottish Government hastily pushed the legislation through the Parliament, despite widespread criticism from stakeholders and opposition parties, and urges the Scottish Government to repeal the Act as a matter of priority.” 

The Conservative motion by MSP Douglas Ross, to be voted on at Holyrood today, which could lead to a (symbolic) defeat for the SNP. See Tom Gordon’s story here. 

The Herald:

"I didn't strangle the dog. They have misunderstood."

Former Cabinet minister Michael Heseltine issues a clarification after Tatler magazine ran a story saying he had taken matters into his own hands when his mother's dog started biting him. Last week, he said he had shot 350 grey squirrels on his estate. Mr Heseltine, who has a new book out, said he had pulled the Alsatian's collar till the dog went limp. It was put down by a vet the next day. The coverage duly brought out the internet wags. 

The Herald:

"Refusal of an inquiry into the battle of Orgreave deepens the justified sense of injustice right across coalfield communities, especially when there are substantiated claims that there was politicised policing and tampering with evidence in the wake of the conflict.”

Lord Kinnock (above at a Remain rally in June), who was Labour party leader during the miners’ strike. Carl Court/Getty Images

The Herald:

"If they don't know what they are doing to people they are incompetent and shouldn't be in Government. If they do know what they are doing then they are not fit to be in Government.”

Ken Loach, director of I, Daniel Blake, hits out at Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green, who criticised the film’s depiction of job centre staff as "monstrously unfair”. Press Association. Above, a projection on a wall in London. Nicky J Sims/Getty Images for eOne

"I don't know why I was given the award."

Will Straw is asked by MPs why he was awarded a CBE by David Cameron, despite being on the losing end of the EU referendum campaign as the head of the Stronger In campaign. Mr Straw is the son of former Labour Home Secretary Jack Straw. 

The Herald:

"I'm keeping a close eye on what is happening internationally, particularly in Holland where they are using eagles to stop drones, and I'm sure we will find a solution in the UK which will take off.”

Sam Gyimah, Prisons Minister for England, suggests one way of stopping drugs being smuggled into jails. Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

The Herald:

"That sounds like absolute poppycock to me.”

Former Springwatch presenter Bill Oddie responds. Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

The Herald:

“It was a gift from a neighbour for winning the election.”

Lest you were wondering where newly re-elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s new M&S suit, as worn to the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, came from. Daily Mirror. Ian West/PA Wire.

The Herald:

“The hair was the easiest part … But the pantsuit. Lord, the pantsuit. It took two flea markets and four charity shops to locate the perfect Mao-collared magenta marquee.”

Celia Walden relates the trials of dressing up as Hillary Clinton for Halloween. Telegraph. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

One can always count on Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg for a better class of insult. Thanks to the Sun's Tom Newton Dunn.

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat