Boris ‘worse for Scotland than Thatcher’

Daily Record

While Tuesday’s leadership debate dominates the front pages, the Daily Record leads with comments from Nicola Sturgeon on Conservative front-runner Boris Johnson. The first minister said he could do more damage to Scotland in 18 weeks at Number 10 than Margaret Thatcher’s government did in 18 years, the paper reports.

The Times

The Times reports that Mr Johnson failed to guarantee the UK would leave the EU on 31 October, adding that only Sajid Javid indicated this should happen. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt “scored a direct hit” on his predecessor Boris Johnson over the consequences of a no-deal Brexit on sheep farmers, the paper adds. Meanwhile, the paper quotes a Labour source who says leader Jeremy Corbyn is preparing to commit his party to supporting another referendum when the shadow cabinet meets on Wednesday.

The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph says it was a good day for both the favourite and the outsider, dubbing the debate the “Boris and Rory show”. The Telegraph says Mr Johnson – who has a column in the paper – and Mr Stewart became the key players in the race after the MPs’ vote and TV debate. Meanwhile, it also reports on speculation that Mr Javid could quit the race to try and secure a spot in the cabinet if Mr Johnson becomes PM.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman’s take on the debate is that Mr Johnson emerged from the clash without significant damage, as other candidates “failed” to land any “serious blows”. The paper calls the debate “disjointed and angry” while adding Mr Johnson appears certain of a place in the final two in the Conservative ballot.

Scottish Daily Express

For the Scottish Daily Express, there was “no clear winner” in the clash, but it adds current favourite Mr Johnson “survives”. The paper leads on the former foreign secretary’s comment that the UK needs to leave the EU on 31 October or it will face a “catastrophic loss of confidence in politics”.

ipaper

The i also suggests Mr Johnson emerged “unscathed”. The paper reports that he appeared to soften his stance on Brexit and tax cuts as well as hinting at a U-turn over his opinion on Heathrow Airport expansion. All candidates ruled out a snap election if they became PM, the paper adds.

The Herald

Meanwhile The Herald’s lead story veers away from the debate onto alcohol sales in Scotland, which the paper says have dropped to an all-time low in the year since minimum pricing was introduced. As well as adults drinking less units per week, the number of adults not drinking alcohol at all is on the rise, according to the paper.

The Scottish Sun

The Scottish Sun leads with a story from the courts of a doctor facing almost 100 charges of offences against women and girls. Krishna Singh, 69, faced the claims during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, where an 18-page indictment listed crimes that allegedly occurred between 1983 and 2018, mainly at medical practices in North Lanarkshire.

The Courier

The Fife edition of The Courier leads with unrest in a village after two bodies were discovered inside a property. The paper quotes a local source who claimed the residents in the house “change all the time” as police launched an investigation into the deaths, which are being treated as unexplained.

The National

The National reports on a “silver lining” of Brexit if an independent Scotland were to join the EU after a Brussels think tank listed the benefits of the theoretical union. Fabian Zuleeg, the chief executive of the European Policy Centre, also argued an independent Scotland would have an “upside” for Europe, the paper adds.

The Press and Journal

Climate change protesters have sparked an urgent board meeting for Oil and Gas UK, according to The Press and Journal. Members of Greenpeace have prevented the Transocean rig heading for North Sea oil fields for a third time, the paper reports.

Scottish Daily Mail

The Scottish Daily Mail reports a police motorbike escorting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was involved in a crash in south-west London. An 83-year-old woman is in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the collision. The paper says police watchdogs are investigating the incident, which it adds is the fourth to involve a royal in seven months.

Daily Star of Scotland

The Daily Star of Scotland leads with TV presenter Jeremy Kyle, who has turned down a request to appear before MPs investigating reality TV after the death of a participant on his show. Senior executives from The Jeremy Kyle Show will give evidence in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee next week, but Mr Kyle will not attend. A spokesman for Mr Kyle previously declined to comment.

Edinburgh Evening News

And The Edinburgh Evening News reports the managing director of the city’s tram network was given a 33% pay increase amid a £10m loss. The paper also quotes transport convener Lesley Macinnes who maintains the trams are “performing very well”.