Editorial 07.03.2025
There are two main stories dominating Friday’s front pages this morning, with the ongoing European plans to support Ukraine after the US paused military aid and the crossbow killer guilty of triple murder and rape. Clifford had already pleaded guilty to the murders but had denied raping his ex-partner.
A meeting of EU leaders in Brussels yesterday ended in an agreed increase in defence spending. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was also in attendance and expressed his gratitude, noting that Europe has stuck with Ukraine throughout it all.
Kyle Clifford, 26, has been convicted of raping his ex-girlfriend before brutally murdering her, her sister, and their mother. He used a crossbow to kill Louise Hunt and her sister, Hannah, while their mother, Carol, was fatally attacked with a knife.
A handful of papers feature some standalone publications – including a report that NHS staff may have illegally accessed information about the murders of the three victims of the Nottingham killer, Valdo Calocane.
Rachel Reeves also makes the front splashes, as does the ongoing backlash to the US tariffs on Canadian, Mexican and Chinese imports.
The back pages lead with Man United’s 1-1 draw in last night’s Europa League.
‘Crossbow killer guilty of triple murder and rape’
‘Judge dismisses attempts to link Clifford and Andrew Tate,’ reports The Sun.
The Sun is among a handful of newspapers reporting that prosecutors have linked Kyle Clifford’s actions to social media influencer Andrew Tate. However, the judge dismissed this claim as having “limited relevance” and being potentially prejudicial, ruling that it should not be presented to the jury.
‘His crimes are almost unspeakable,’ reports the Daily Express.
The Daily Express features images of the three victims and quotes the judge, who described Clifford’s crimes as “almost unspeakable.”
‘Jury took 45 minutes to convict Clifford of rape – which he had denied,’ says the Mail.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail notes that the jury took just 45 minutes to convict Clifford of rape, which he had denied. Their relationship had ended two weeks before the violent attack.
‘New survey on domestic abuse highlights the problem is a national emergency,’ reports the Metro.
The Metro has also drawn attention to the wider issue of violence against women. A new survey suggests that nearly a quarter of people in the UK personally know a woman or girl who has suffered domestic abuse in the past year. Woman’s Aid chief executive Farah Nazeer has called this a “national emergency.”
This case has sparked further conversations about domestic abuse, violence against women, and the influence of online figures on young men.
‘Huge boost to defence spending’
‘Huge boost to defence spending a watershed moment,’ says The Guardian.
The Guardian reports on the ‘huge’ boost to defence spending that was agreed during an emergency meeting in Brussels yesterday, held by European leaders. The boost has been hailed as “a watershed moment” by the paper. But it’s not all good news, the paper suggests the show of unity was “marred” by Hungary’s PM, who failed to endorse a joint statement calling for Ukrainian involvement in peace negotiations with Russia.
‘Brussels vows to back Kyiv,’ reports the FT.
The Financial Times headlines it as “Brussels vows to back Kyiv” and features a front-page image of the EU leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit in Brussels.
‘Trump is encouraged by Kyiv’s commitment to peace with Russia,’ says The Times.
The Times quotes the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, who says the US President Donald Trump is “encouraged” by Kyiv’s commitment to peace with Russia. He made the comments during talks with his British counterpart, John Healey, at the Pentagon. It comes ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia between the US and Ukraine.
‘UK’s biggest pension firms accused of blocking efforts to boost defence spending,’ says The Daily Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports that some of the UK’s biggest pension firms have been accused of blocking efforts to boost defence spending. Aviva, Royal London and NEST are among a group that restrict investment in the sector on environmental, social and governance grounds, according to the paper. More than 100 MPs and peers have signed an open letter urging Britain’s finance industry to “sweep away ill-considered anti-defence rules” that limit investments in the arms industry, it adds.
‘Trump backtracks on tariffs’
‘Trump administration backtracked on tariffs,’ reports the FT.
The Financial Times reports the Trump administration has “backtracked further” on its 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. The paper calls it a “big climbdown from its aggressive trade agenda.” It also reports on the “show of unity” from EU leaders who have pledged “enduring” support from Kyiv.
‘Chancellor warns unemployed Gen Z they face benefit cuts,’ reports the i newspaper.
The i newspaper leads with a warning from Chancellor Rachel Reeves that unemployed Gen Z-ers face benefit cuts “if they aren’t looking for work”. The paper quotes the chancellor as saying the number of young people not in education, employment or training is a “travesty” and said “the majority of these people should be working.”
‘Nottingham victims may have been let down further in death,’ reports the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror leads on the three victims of the Nottingham killer, Valdo Calocane. The paper says Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber, and Grace O’Malley-Kumar may have been let down in death as hospital bosses fear staff illegally accessed their A&E records. An investigation has been opened to find out what happened, the paper reports.