Rhodes Honeymoon ‘disaster’ and Holyrood spending row
Greek wildfires continue to dominate the front pages as tourists are caught up in the emergency evacuation from Rhodes. Newlyweds Luna and Daniel Rolfe, from Glasgow, had planned the “holiday of a lifetime” on the island, the Daily Record reports. But the couple say their trip has felt like a “disaster movie”.
The couple tell the Scottish Sun they were gifted the £4,000 holiday as a wedding present. The bus they thought was taking them to their luxury resort instead pulled up at an evacuation centre, Daniels says. The pair ended up spending the night on the floor of a school hall and are unsure how they will return home, the paper reports.
The Times says 30,000 Britons face having their summer holidays cancelled after it emerged that hotels in Rhodes could remain closed for weeks due to the wildfires. The front page adds that more than 5,000 British holidaymakers are stranded on the island, with many staying in shelters as they wait for a flight back home. The paper also leads with a report that NHS Scotland faces a huge bill to repair more than 250 buildings which are thought to contain “potentially dangerous concrete”.
Airlines have been accused of failing in their duty of care by flying tourists into the Greek wildfires without a refund or rebook offer, the front page of the i says. Holidaymakers have also told the paper that there is evacuation chaos as people struggle to flee. There is also a tribute to George Alagiah, calling him “brave, kind and honourable”.
A British father is dubbed a “Knight of the Rhodes” by the Metro after he used his holiday rental car to make several trips in the “danger zone” to rescue families from the Greek wildfires.
Meanwhile, The National leads with a report on a Cabinet Office minister warning that the UK government could consider sanctions on the Scottish government for spending money on planning for independence or taking forward policies outside of the devolution settlement. Lucy Neville-Rolfe made the comment during a House of Lords debate on changes to the Cabinet Manual, “where the main laws, rules and conventions affecting the conduct and operation of government are set out”.
The Scottish Daily Mail says the threat of sanctions comes amid criticism of First Minister Humza Yousaf by opposition figures for “funnelling cash into areas the Scottish government has no power over”.
A “clear rift” has emerged between Scottish and UK Labour over gender self-identification policy, the Scotsman reports. Sir Keir Starmer’s party has suggested a medical diagnosis for gender dysphoria will remain as part of its updated policy – a move Scottish Labour figures have distanced themselves from.
As well as the Greek wildfires, the Herald leads with a potential “world first” bid by Scots scientists to use industrial plastic waste to manufacture pharmaceutical products for neurological conditions. The research could signal a “turning point” for the industry, the paper adds.
The Daily Telegraph’s front page has a tribute to BBC News presenter George Alagiah from his friend and former colleague Fiona Bruce after his death was announced on Monday. The front page also features a picture of a fireman rescuing rabbits from the wildfires in the Greek island of Rhodes.
A Perthshire village’s community council has vowed to stand up for residents with concerns about plans to build a “billionaire’s playground” on their doorsteps, the Courier reports. It says a petition opposed to the £300 million revamp of Taymouth Castle – including exclusive properties, a members-only clubhouse and a “wellness facility” – has been signed by nearly 14,000 people.
The Press and Journal leads with news that a man has been arrested and charged following the death of a motorcyclist in a crash in the Highlands. Ross James Dominick, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene on the A82 at Buachaille Etive Beag car park on Sunday. A 52-year-old car driver will appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
A man has “won his battle” with Transport Scotland to have his car registered as compliant with Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone, the Glasgow Times reports. Angus Allen, 63, bought a second-hand Audi in February but was initially told that it would not comply with the city’s new traffic rules.
Primary school pupils in the capital are being moved to temporary classrooms after it emerged that roofs have been built with a potentially dangerous concrete, the Edinburgh Evening News says. Students at Trinity and Cramond primaries will be housed in new classrooms when terms begins next month as the council investigates if Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete has been used in any other schools.
And the Evening Telegraph says a food larder in Dundee has been forced to shut after the third break-in this month. The paper says the Boomerang Community Centre on Kemback Street was unable to operate after being raided again.
