1 week ago
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BBC
"PM battles for survival" headlines Metro over Sir Keir Starmer's appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US. At the time of the appointment, it was public knowledge that Mandelson had maintained a friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction for soliciting sex from a minor. Sir Keir has told critics "you're helping Reform" by discussing the matter, according to Metro. The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately. Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment, but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.
The PM's apology for "believing Mandelson's lies" tops the Independent. The paper reports that pressure from Labour MPs is now building "to sack key aide Morgan McSweeney".
"Labour 'women in grey suits' may be sent to No 10 to tell PM to resign", writes the i Paper, a reference to the so-called "men in grey suits" who told Margaret Thatcher to resign in 1990. MPs believe the PM is now "toast", but Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner "won't challenge the Prime Minister yet", according to the paper.
The Times leads with the PM being labelled "gullible and weak" by former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman. The paper says Sir Keir's apology to Epstein's victims for Mandelson's appointment comes as "Labour dismay grows".
The Daily Star says Sir Keir is "in firing line" over the fallout from the Epstein files. It headlines on "the spy who failed me" adding that the PM "blamed Britain's spies" for the appointment of Lord Mandelson to the role of ambassador to the US.
The Guardian writes that Starmer is "in appeal to Labour MPs as pressure grows for No 10 reset". The paper also reports a private jet owned by "Trump friend" and "Florida property tycoon" Gil Dezer was used for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights.
"Starmer apologises to Epstein victims as crisis over Mandelson ties deepens" headlines the Financial Times, with one minister saying that the PM could see an "unedifying end". The paper also splashes on more details from the Epstein files, saying Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor "touted felon's business during Queen's visit to UAE".
Former Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has told friends she is "ready to go" on a leadership campaign, according to the Daily Mail. "As Starmer fights for his political life", she is "primed to strike", it adds.
The Daily Telegraph reports that an unresolved investigation into Angela Rayner's taxes could thwart any potential bid for the party leadership. Australian actress Margot Robbie is splashed on the front page as the film adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" premieres in London - "it's me, Cathy", the Telegraph captions the shot.
Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney's son has been "offered Man U deal" leads the Sun. The "teen is target" as the paper headlines "on me red, son".
"Daily statins safe for millions more to take" writes the Daily Express. A major review has found that the "cholesterol-busting drugs are not responsible for side effects", it reports.
