The National asks why former prime minister Boris Johnson should be believed over his account of rule-breaking lockdown parties in Downing Street during his tenure. Mr Johnson has admitted his initial assurances in 2021 that Covid rules were followed completely did mislead MPs. But he says this was not deliberate and that the Commons privileges committee will vindicate him.
The i reports Mr Johnson will be questioned by MPs in a televised hearing later on Wednesday. The paper says a comeback for the former PM may be supported by some ministers if he survives the committee’s report and that he will still have a “big role to play” in the future of the Conservative Party.
The Scottish Daily Express says Mr Johnson is “ready for battle” and that he acted in “good faith” as he prepares to be quizzed over partygate later on Wednesday. Elsewhere on the front page, the paper asks if Scotland’s new first minister will take up the King’s traditional invite to Balmoral.
The Metro also dedicates its front page to Mr Johnson admitting he did mislead Parliament – but saying it was unintentional. The story goes on to say his political career may end if he is found guilty of contempt.
Meanwhile, the Herald leads with an exclusive interview with SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes. The finance secretary tells the paper it is “unlikely” she will run for the top job again if she fails to defeat Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan next week.
The Scotsman leads with a call for the country’s next first minister to make economic growth their “driving mission”. Liz Cameron, director and chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, says every sector of the economy faces serious challenges and “anti-growth policies” must be removed. Nicola Sturgeon’s successor will be announced on Monday after voting closes in the SNP leadership contest.
A plea to the outgoing first minister from a schoolboy who has a serious spinal condition dominates the front page of the Daily Record. Harvey Martin, nine, tells the paper he is in pain every day from the scoliosis that is crushing his organs. The paper says he has been waiting seven months for an operation.
The Scottish Daily Mail accuses the “slippery SNP” of trying to “dodge scrutiny” by attempting to delay the new leader’s debut at first minister’s questions. Under the proposal Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes or Ash Regan would not have faced rival leaders until after the Easter recess.
The Times focuses on a study from Oxford University that says taking the pill or any other hormonal contraception increases the risk of breast cancer by 25%. Scientists have looked at the NHS records of nearly 10,000 women under 50 who had a diagnosis of breast cancer between 1996 and 2017.
The Scottish Sun has an interview with singer songwriter Ed Sheeran, in which he vows never to take drugs again following the death of his best friend Jamal Edwards. The entrepreneur and YouTube star died last year at the age of 31 after taking cocaine.
The Daily Telegraph leads on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer being accused of hypocrisy over a unique pension deal the paper says he can benefit from following his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. The front page also has a response from Home Secretary Suella Braverman about the Casey report into the Met Police. She says calling the force institutionally racist is “not helpful”.
The Courier leads with the ongoing search for a Fife man who went missing after a camping trip. Reece Rodger, 28, was last seen in the Kinloch Rannoch area at 23:30 on Saturday.
The Press and Journal reports an American tourist choked to death after a cast iron bench he was sitting on toppled backwards and pinned him against a wall. Patrick McGuire, 67, died after the freak accident outside the Glengarry Castle Hotel, near Invergarry, in 2019. The hotel has been fined £14,000 following the tragedy.
The Evening Express leads with the story of a masked man who “terrorised” a family with a stun gun. Aden Robertson, 29, was jailed for five years on Tuesday at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Evening News features a picture of SNP leadership candidate Humza Yousaf launching a new football initiative on its front page. The health secretary has promised free football club membership for children from low-income households if he becomes first minister on Monday.
The Glasgow Times features CCTV stills of three men that detectives want to speak to following a mass disturbance outside Hampden six hours before last month’s League Cup final between Rangers and Celtic. On Tuesday Police Scotland issued images of 11 individuals they believe can assist with their investigation.
And the Evening Telegraph tells the story of a drug dealer who was caught by police after he fell asleep in his car. The paper also reports on plans for a new board game café in Dundee.
