The National:

THE high quality of the London media's Scottish coverage has really been brought to light these past few days.

While we've pointed out a few particularly bad incidents, including the odd "Hamza" Yousaf and John "Sweeney", we think Good Morning Britain might need to take the trophy for the worst possible commentary on the SNP leader's resignation.

The programme saw commentator Andrew Pierce (a total charmer who has called for asylum seekers to be forced into unpaid work) join The Mirror's associate editor Kevin Maguire to discuss what comes next for independence.*

[*Two people who, I regret to say, wouldn't even be making it onto the list of the first, let's say, 2000 people we'd call to ask about constitutional change.]

This segment really does tick every box on the Bad Media Takes Bingo Card:

  • Claims of independence being dead for generations (despite consistent polling for Yes)
  • Media 'experts' showing ignorance of senior figures in Scottish politics
  • Minimal understanding of how Holyrood actually works

So let's get stuck in and analyse this clip, which really could be the worst media take in an absolute sea of terrible takes this week.

Discussing the FM's Monday resignation announcement, Susanna Reid asked the pair: "What does this mean for Scottish independence?"

"Dead, dead in the water," replied Pierce.

"Disappearing in the rear view mirror of the motorhome, isn't it?" added Maguire.

Reid responded: "It's not good news when it's got comedy value."

The National: Andrew Pierce said independence would be dead for 'one, two, three generations'

Pierce's incredible contribution was then to refer to the famous video of Yousaf falling off a scooter in Holyrood. We're still not sure how that backed up his stance on independence being dead.

Richard Madeley, another person we're all desperate to hear from on this topic, then asked the guests: "Do you think it's temporarily dead or dead for one, two, three generations?"

"Years," nodded Pierce.

"It's very hard to predict that, but I think it's gone for the foreseeable future," added the Mirror associate editor.

READ MORE: Anas Sarwar stumbles when challenged on Holyrood election call

At this point, it's hard to say exactly why, Pierce decides to start trying to explain how Holyrood works without understanding the basic principles.

"The problem is they've got to do a deal with the Greens to carry on, whoever takes over to carry on," he explained – missing out that the SNP are continuing as a minority government.

Reminder: There's only been one single-party majority government in Holyrood history – it was Alex Salmond's, which operated from 2011-2016. They are more of a quirk than something required by design.

That's you more informed in one sentence than you would have been if you tried to learn anything from GMB today.

Richard Madeley added: "Outside Scotland, we don't know who any of them are any more do we? Who are the candidates?"

The others nod along, with Maguire [below] casting doubt on whether people would be familiar with Kate Forbes or John Swinney. 

The National:

That would be the former finance secretary, and an absolutely towering figure of Scottish politics who's been in Holyrood since it was opened in 1999. His career goes back decades. He literally led the party before.

Presumably these people are paid? Do they not do even five minutes of research before broadcasting to hundreds of thousands of viewers?

READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch tears down Andrew Neil over 'basket case' Scotland jibe

We weren't expecting a lot from the UK media when it comes to this leadership contest, but they've still managed to let us down.

Top tip for morning show producers. If you insist on discussing Scottish politics without anyone knowledgeable there (which you shouldn't be doing in the first place), please make sure they've been prepped on the topic. 

You're only embarrassing yourselves.