Scotland's papers: Calls to sack Braverman and Yousaf backs iPad costs
The Scotsman and many of Friday's papers lead with questions about the future of Home Secretary Suella Braverman after she wrote an article accusing the Metropolitan Police of bias over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests. Braverman's remarks were described as "irresponsible" and "divisive" by some Tory MPs.
Ms Braverman "defied" Mr Sunak's authority by writing the article, says the i. The paper reports that two ministers have said she should be sacked, though adds that grassroots Tories now see her as a "real contender" for the party leadership.
The Metro says Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has so far resisted calls to remove Ms Braverman from her job. The headline reads: "Give Suella marching orders".
One cabinet minister says Ms Braverman has "embarrassed the prime minister", while Mr Sunak "faces a political calculation" over whether having her on the backbenches could cause him more problems than keeping her in post, according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper also carries an article about Humza Yousaf, who said Health Secretary Michael Matheson should not pay the £11,000 bill he racked up on his iPad on holiday as it was a "legitimate parliamentary expense".
The Times says No 10 told the home secretary to "tone down" her article and that it is now trying to "establish the detail" of how the piece was published without formal approval. It adds that Mr Sunak is now said to be "weighing up Braverman's future" and could bring forward a cabinet reshuffle planned for before Christmas in order to remove her.
The Daily Express reports that a lawyer says it would be "blindingly obvious" that WhatsApp messages sent by the Scottish Government during Covid would later be needed for a public inquiry. This came after the first minister and his deputy, Shona Robertson, denied misleading parliament over government WhatsApp messages sent during the pandemic.
The Scottish Daily Mail leads with the story of Health Secretary Michael Matheson who racked up a £11,000 bill on his iPad on holiday in Morocco. The paper described him as "smirking" Michael Matheson, after he refused to apologise for it.
A report from two journalists embedded with the Israeli military in Gaza leads the Sun. The paper says it was taken inside a Hamas base and shown "chilling items" related to the 7 October attacks, including a 3D model of a kibbutz similar to those targeted by the group.
The Herald reports the number of mortgages in arrears has risen due to cost of living pressures and higher rates on home loans. Figures from UK Finance state that across the UK, 87,930 home owners mortgages were in arrears in the third quarter of 2023. The paper also has a picture of pro-Palestinian protesters, who yesterday went on the roof of the Scottish Parliament. Five people have been arrested.
A school support worker is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after being assaulted more than 100 times in the classroom, reports the Daily Record. The 32-year-old woman says she was punched, kicked, slapped and verbally abused by a nine-year-old boy.
The National leads with "Scotland must call for a Gaza ceasefire". There have been increasing pressures from protestors and politicians for the UK and Scottish government leaders to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Shell have threatened to sue Greenpeace for £7m over a "dangerous" protest that targeted a vessel which was bound for a key North Sea oil field, reports The P&J. Shell said it would settle for £1.1m if Greenpeace agreed to never attempt to board, damage or interfere with any of its equipment or vessels again.
The Glasgow Times leads with a story about a woman whose dog died after running onto a dual carriageway after hearing a firework. Katie Elwood is urging people to "think twice" before setting off fireworks.
It has emerged that a City of Edinburgh Council contract had a "litany of failures" which were not spotted for years because the officer who set it up left the organisation. Staff without the relevant "experience or training" were put in charge, reports the Edinburgh News. The contract was to help after-school care providers meet the needs of children with disabilities.
The Courier leads with a story about a takeaway in Fife which has remained closed, after a man was stabbed outside in a "targeted attack". The 33-year-old victim was attacked outside the shop on Tuesday evening.
A man who has committed more than 120 offences has been "freed" and placed under supervision after a sheriff said he could "benefit Dundee".
The Evening Express reports a 33-year-old woman left her young child on the roadside after a bus "rammy" Jade Martin admitted assaulting the toddler and bus passengers on the Aberdeen bus.
