Newspaper headlines: ‘Palace crisis’ and a government ‘betrayal’
A former paratrooper who served in Northern Ireland has told the Daily Telegraph he has been betrayed by the government. The 76-year-old, who has not been identified, is facing criminal charges over his actions during Bloody Sunday, when 28 unarmed civilians in Northern Ireland were shot by British troops.
The Daily Mirror says the Duchess of Sussex’s father has “crossed a line” with a recent interview in which he claimed his daughter had severed ties with him. Kensington Palace is now holding “crisis talks”, the paper says, to decide how best to deal with the situation.
The Daily Mail follows up on its front page from Tuesday, when it reported that the Manchester bomber, Salman Abedi, was once rescued from a conflict zone in Libya by a Royal Navy ship. The paper now asks why that incident was “hidden” from the public.
The 17-year prison sentence for Xeneral Webster makes the front page of the Metro. Webster, 19, was jailed for the manslaughter of a woman who died 11 days after being splashed with acid. Joanne Rand was not the target of the attack but was splashed accidentally and died after her wounds led to multi-organ failure after contracting septicaemia.
Theresa May is set to join French President Emmanuel Macron at his holiday retreat in the south of France this week – and the Financial Times says the prime minister will use that time to discuss Brexit. The paper reports she will warn her counterpart – who is seen as a major obstacle to her current proposals – that a no-deal Brexit will cause job losses on both sides of the Channel.
The front page of The Times also features the talks between Mrs May and Mr Macron. It also reports that Freemasons who have undergone gender reassignment surgery will be allowed to remain Freemasons, despite the organisation not normally admitting women.
The Daily Express also leads on the Brexit talks between Mrs May and European leaders. The paper describes the meeting in France as a “showdown” and says it is pleased the UK is finally “talking tough”.
Brexit is also on the front page of The i, which carries an interview with the chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation. The paper reports that food firms are seeking reassurances from ministers that, in the event of no trade deal being agreed with the EU, supplies will not be affected.
The “funding crisis” facing local authorities has deepened, says the Guardian, which puts forward Conservative-run Northamptonshire County Council as a particular example. The county has warned services for vulnerable children and adults can no longer be protected as it faces problems never before seen “in modern times”.
TV presenter Ant McPartlin has been told to “get back in rehab” by one of his estranged wife’s friends, says the Daily Star. The paper also features an interview with Love Island winner Dani Dyer.
The Sun splashes on the altercation between a man and a woman outside an Essex nightclub. The paper calls the man “pathetic” after he was filmed punching the woman following an argument.
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