The Midge: Stress concerns over pupil testing, SNP MPs referred to watchdog, David Cameron warned of Holyrood clash on rights

• Stress concerns over pupil testing
• PM warned of Holyrood clash if Human Rights Act scrapped
• Expenses claims of two SNP MPs referred to watchdog
• Darling warns Brexit vote would spark recession
• Alarm over spike in North Sea job losses

06.00 BBC Today headlines

EgyptAir plane carrying 66 passengers disappears on flight from Paris to Cairo … Alarm over rise in drug-resistant infections … Tory MP and Brexit backer Steve Baker slates Downing Street tactics … Vote on junior doctors’ deal … Aspirin advice for minor stroke … US accuses China of unsafely intercepting plane over South China Sea … Amnesty study says Britain among most welcoming to refugees … Judgment due in celebrity injunction case … Service for Sir Nicholas Winton, Kindertransport organiser who saved hundreds of children from the Nazis. 

07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines

EgyptAir plane, one passenger British … Holyrood demo in support of CalMac bid to run ferries … North Sea job losses … Amnesty study … Audit Scotland in farm payments scheme warning … Antibiotics alert. 

Front pages

Exclusive: In The Herald, Education correspondent Andrew Denholm highlights concerns that new tests could lead to increased stress among pupils. 

The National reports that William Speirs Bruce, who led the first and only Scottish National Antarctic Expedition between 1902 and 1904, has received long overdue recognition from the polar research community.

The Evening Times reports on a hike in bus fares in Glasgow. 

The Mail, Sun and Express says the SNP MPs at the centre of a “love triangle”,  Stewart Hosie and Angus MacNeil, have been reported to the Commissioner for Standards and the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. 

The FT reports that the number of EU nationals working in the UK has reached a record 2.1 million, or 6.8% of the workforce. 

Some £125 million in fines is coming Scotland’s way as a result of mistakes on farm payments, say the Telegraph and the Times. An Audit Scotland report is due today. Story here. 

Camley’s Cartoon

Camley does his homework on Scottish Government plans for testing. 

Need to know

Ten ministers, one Cabinet, but who is the one to watch? As Nicola Sturgeon introduced her new team yesterday, much of the focus was on John Swinney and the Deputy FM’s move from finance to education, the brief on which Nicola Sturgeon has staked her reputation. But what of the MSP who replaced him, Derek Mackay, set to be confirmed in post by Holyrood today? Here is your Midge minute guide:

Position: Officially, he’s the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution. Unofficially, he’s the closest thing to a Scottish Chancellor. MSP for Renfrewshire North and West. Majority 7,373. Also SNP Business Convenor, responsible for conference. 

Old jobs: Former parliamentary assistant, he was Scotland’s youngest councillor at 21. Entered Holyrood in 2011, local government and planning minister, then minister for transport and the Islands. Survived the controversial closure of the Forth Road Bridge. 

New job: He takes half of Swinney’s old post, now split in two, with Keith Brown being given responsibility for the economy and jobs. That leaves Mackay holding the hot potato of taxes, not to mention the constitution. 

Personal: Born July 30, 1977, age 38, two sons, gay. Lists hobbies as reading, running, and swimming.

Prospects: With such a high profile position at a time when Scotland assumes greater powers, Mackay could be in the news almost as much as his boss. Get it right, and he could be looking at her job one day. Get it wrong…

Afore ye go

"The mistake Labour made in Scotland was that when devolution came, we didn't field our biggest names and consequently it looked like we didn't take it seriously enough. We can't make that mistake again.”

Labour MP and Scouser Andy Burnham on his bid to become the mayor of Manchester and seek a political life outwith Westminster. Alex Livesey/Getty Images

"I'm afraid these two ladies have made themselves political concubines in Carwyn's harem. What a gruesome concept that will be.”

Former controversial Tory MP Neil Hamilton becomes currently controversial UKIP Welsh Assembly member with his description of the Liberal Democrats' Kirsty Williams and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood. Both backed the re-appointment of Labour’s Mr Jones as First Minister. 

"There's no place for sexism in our National Assembly... be warned.”

Ms Wood’s response on Twitter

"Hands off the BBC" 

Labour MP Dennis Skinner returns to his role as Queen’s Speech heckler-in-chief after having been otherwise engaged last time defending his territory against encroaching SNP MPs. Oli Scarff/Getty Images

"What Boris was talking about was the reality that there is a drive towards greater political integration.”

Shadow Commons leader and Brexiteer Chris Grayling tries to explain Boris Johnson’s comparison of the EU to Hitler. BBC Today. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

"The most important thing is that everybody should cut out the synthetic outrage about things I haven't said and stick to the facts.”

The man himself speaks. 

"It's always good to hear voices from the past, I would be grateful if they remained in the past.”

Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith on Michael Heseltine, above, who accused Johnson of behaving "irresponsibly and recklessly”. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

"I literally am living the dream, so the idea of giving up this job to be the leader of the Labour Party does not appeal to me one bit at all." 

That’ll be new London mayor Sadiq Khan’s hat in the ring, then? Mary Turner/Getty Images

We've got some amazing guests lined up for the new series of Celebrity Bargain Hunt. pic.twitter.com/QFY5BH0WBs

— Philip Sim (@BBCPhilipSim) May 18, 2016

"This modest adjustment was made for the Queen's comfort.”

A Palace spokesman on why the 90-year-old monarch used a lift to enter parliament for the first time yesterday, rather than take the usual 26 steps of the royal staircase at the Sovereign's Entrance.

My favourite moment from #QueensSpeech - Emily Thornberry MP, chewing gum and mouthing "boll*cks" https://t.co/A1XEBcgU1l

— Andrew Bloch (@AndrewBloch) May 18, 2016

Not everyone was on their best behaviour ...

"Fancy at the age of 90 having to read the deathless prose in the average Queen's Speech under the lights, the heavy brocades, the jewels and the Crown. It shouldn't happen to a corgi.”

Former Thatcher press secretary Sir Bernard Ingham. Above, The Secret Life of Pets premiere. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

“Donald Trump's ex-girlfriend says her quotes in the New York Times expose this week were twisted to sound negative, but that she didn't have a negative experience with Trump. Then she said, ‘Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go drive the new Porsche I can suddenly afford’.”

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Mark Lyons/Getty Images

“The Scottish Vote Leave campaign is a Hitler-free zone. I have not come across any campaign that benefited from the mention of the former German chancellor.”

Former Labour MP Tom Harris launches the Scottish Vote Leave campaign at Holyrood. It was almost an MSP-free zone too, with only two turning up. BuzzFeed News

See @KirstyWark on @BBCNewsnight? ❤ We don’t have her mussels, but do try her cheesy scones: https://t.co/qqGt8YnZ6w pic.twitter.com/CIB3YETo7m

— BBC Food (@BBCFood) May 18, 2016

Never mind all those interviews with world leaders, have you tried the cheesy scones?

Thank you for reading. The Midge will be away from May 23-27. See you tomorrow.