Nicola Sturgeon’s appearance on ITV’s Loose Women makes the front page of the Scottish Daily Mail. The paper reports the first minister was called “utterly deluded” by Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher over her claims that there is no crisis in the SNP.
As well as covering Ms Sturgeon’s TV appearance, The Herald reports ferry operator CalMac is set to spend £1m per month chartering an “emergency vessel” which normally operates in Orkney from Pentland Ferries. It is not yet clear which route MV Alfred will cover.
The Scotsman reports the SNP has decided not to allow members to recast their leadership votes following a row over transparency. Candidate Ash Regan had called for members to be allowed to “update” their choice in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon. Voting opened on 13 March and will close on Monday.
The Scottish Sun describes Nicola Sturgeon’s TV appearances as a “magical messtery tour”. The Scottish Conservatives said the outgoing first minister is “ fiddling while the SNP burns”.
The outgoing first minister is “in denial” on the state of her party, according to the Scottish Daily Express. The paper also reports on racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart’s fight against dementia.
The Times leads with Sturgeon’s claims that the SNP is experiencing “growing pains” amid a drop in membership numbers. The paper also reports the FM has “never doubted” her decision to step down. Separately, it covers former prime minister Boris Johnson’s legal dossier, which he submitted to the parliamentary committee investigating allegations that he misled MPs over the Downing Street parties scandal.
SNP leadership candidate Ash Regan has said there is a “significant amount of voter regret” among SNP members following the resignation of chief executive Peter Murrell, reports the Daily Telegraph. They report sources close to Ms Regan have said she has a “cast iron” legal case to get the election paused but she doesn’t have any plans to go to court.
“Humanity on thin ice” warns the Daily Record. The paper’s stark front page follows a UN report from leading scientists which states the window for action to prevent a climate disaster is “closing”.
Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson has told the Scottish Affairs Committee the “UK is actively undermining our overseas interests”, reports The National. Mr Robertson claims a St Andrew’s Day event in Paris, hosted by the Scottish government and Foreign Office, was scaled down at the last minute.
The i dedicates most of its front page to Boris Johnson as he prepares to “plot his comeback” if he is cleared by the parliamentary inquiry into “Partygate”. The paper also shares snippets of other stories including a damning report on the culture of the Metropolitan Police.
The Edinburgh Evening News says the SNP has intervened in the ongoing battle to save Edinburgh Filmhouse. The party stepped in to ensure the building remains a cinema, insisting “cultural use” is prioritised over “commercial gain”.
A Glasgow man is facing a jail sentence after a police sting caught him with cocaine at an Inverness petrol station. Gareth Speirs admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug in both Inverness and Dundee, reports the Press & Journal.
The Courier also leads with the case and reports Sheriff Jillian Brown told Speirs a custodial sentence is “realistic” after he admitted being involved in the supply of drugs with a street value of around £63,000.
The Evening Telegraph leads with a story on a sexual assault in a Dundee hotel. The paper says the suspect is also accused of assaulting police officers.
Finally, a family is appealing for help to catch the thieves who stole three puppies from their Aberdeen home on Mother’s Day, reports the Evening Express.
