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:

Exclusive: In The Herald, education correspondent Andrew Denholm reports on a dispute over college funding in Glasgow. 

Under the headline “Brexit shambles”, The National leads on the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK’s ambassador to the EU. The Times noses its splash on Sir Ivan’s criticism of “muddled thinking” over Brexit, while the Telegraph says Downing Street will now pick someone who “believes in Brexit” as his replacement. 

The Herald: Exclusive: In the Evening Times, Caroline Wilson reports on paramedics' concerns over the safety of their ambulances. 

The Mail says knife crime is on the rise in Scotland, despite SNP assertions. 

The FT leads on Ford’s U-turn over plans to build a new plant in Mexico. See Afore Ye Go. 

The Guardian reports on the conviction of four Chelsea fans for racist violence for pushing a black commuter off a Paris Metro. 

The Record dubs SNP MSP John Mason a “complete halftweet” for his “the girl does not always say yes first time” message on indyref2. 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley wonders when the leaving do for departing EU diplomat Sir Ivan Rogers, who warned ministers it could take a decade to finalise a post-Brexit trade deal, will take place. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? Auld enemies are becoming allies in the battle over Brexit. 

Explain? Downing Street has been left on the back foot by the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK’s ambassador to the EU. No sooner had the SNP called his departure symptomatic of the “complete chaos” at the heart of the PM’s position on Brexit than a couple of other voices, well kent to SNP supporters, joined the fray. 

Who were they? Former Treasury Secretary Sir Nicholas Macpherson for one. He tweeted:

Why is that name familiar? Sir Nick became a controversial figure during the independence referendum when, as a serving civil servant, he published a letter of advice to Chancellor George Osborne saying there would be no sharing of the pound with an independent Scotland. George Kerevan, now an SNP MP and columnist for The National, wrote last February that “Macpherson has a vision of the British imperial state and sees himself and the unelected civil service as its guardian”, adding that he had engaged in a “quiet but calculated sabotage of the independence referendum”. Now, with the SNP keen to raise the subject of Brexit when the Commons reconvenes next week, SNP MPs might be tempted to raise his tweet in support of their case. 

And if they can’t stomach that? Then there’s also one from one George Osborne Esq. Whatever else results from Brexit, it is making some auld enemies look like allies. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"It would be lots of fun, but it's never going to happen.”

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage on Ukip MEP Gerard Batten’s suggestion that he replace Sir Ivan Rogers as Britain's EU ambassador. Mr Farage later said the Foreign Office needed “a complete clear out”. Carl Court/Getty Images

The Herald:

“If you allow me to sing ‘Strange Fruit’ a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the US for being too controversial. A song that speaks to all the disregarded and down trodden black people in the United States. A song that is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world, then I will graciously accept your invitation and see you in Washington. Best Rebecca X”

Former X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson says she has been asked to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, but will only do so if she can sing the Billie Holiday protest classic. Matt Crossick/PA Wire

The Herald:

"Our source is not a state party.”

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange denies Russia was behind the leaking of Democrat emails. Fox News. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire.

The Herald:

"Make no mistake about it – Ford is a global automaker but our home is right here in the United States.”

Ford CEO Mark Fields (above, right, with actor Matthew McConaughey at the New York International Auto Show in March), announces the firm will not be going ahead with plans for a new $1.6 billion plant in Mexico and will instead expand its Michigan operations. Observers have called it “the Trump effect” following the president-elect’s criticism of US firms operating in Mexico. USA Today. Bryan Thomas/Getty Images

Chances of that happening?

The Herald:

85,000 

Annual sales in Germany of an annotated edition of Mein Kampf highlighting the lies and mistakes. The surprise bestseller costs £50. AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Sky's Kay Burley has second thoughts about her wardrobe.

Still reckon 2016 was a horror? Let the clever folk at Friend Dog Studios confirm those fears.

Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat