Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
More Russell Brand reactions and better Brexit deal if Labour win general election
Monday’s front pages continue their coverage of the accusations against Russell Brand. The papers look at the reaction to the expose and documentary, as police urge people to get into contact and more women speak out.
Away from Brand, other papers lead on ‘red wall’ campaigns, climate topping the UN agenda and Labour’s Brexit plans to boost the UK economy if they win the next general election.
Russell Brand Dispatches
The Times, one of the papers that was a part of the investigation into Brand, reports that since the release of the expose and Channel 4 documentary on Saturday, more women have come forward with allegations. It says these claims have not yet been investigated but “will now be rigorously checked.”
The paper also says the BBC is “facing urgent questions” about new claims that it paid for a chauffeur-driven car to pick up a 16-year-old girl from school and take her to Russell Brand’s home
The Telegraph reports media bosses could be “hauled in front of MPs” to explain their handling of allegations and why more wasn’t done at the time.
The Daily Mirror leads on a similar thought, asking “What did TV chiefs know?” beside a photo of Brand. A source tells the paper that investigations by Brand’s former employers will aim to establish where “a bling eye was turned to any claims.”
The Sun says it’s been a “fraught 24 hours” for the BBC, which it describes as being “under mounting pressure” because of allegations it “enabled” the comedian’s alleged inappropriate behaviour and “did nothing” when staff raised concerns.
Changes to Brexit deal
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer tells the Financial Times that he wants to make changes to the UK’s Brexit deal with the EU if Labour wins the next election. He says the current agreement is “far too thin” and he would attempt to get a “much better deal for the UK.” He says a closer relationship with the EU would be “at the heart of his efforts to bolster Britain’s economic growth” – adding that he “owes it to his children”.
The Guardian leads with the leader of the union, Unite. The union is launching campaigns in the “red wall” seats aimed at “stoking public pressure” on Labour. Sharon Graham tells the paper that funding earmarked for the party will instead be used to demand “more radical policies on energy, steel and green jobs.”
Serial killer Lucy Leby leads the Daily Mail, as the paper interviews paediatrician Dewi Evans, who believes Letby may have killed more babies and tried to murder another 15.
The i newspaper reports households in England face an average council tax increase of £100 next year. The paper reports that “cash-strapped” local authorities are expected to raise bills by a maximum of around 5%.