Editorial 02.02.2025
AI Child Abuse Crackdown, Brexit Fears, and Royal Revelations
Sunday’s front pages are made up of a variety of domestic and international news. Lucy Letby and AI fears are amongst the most popular stories on the front pages, as are the latest developments with Prince Andrew and his connection to an alleged spy – as well as new revelations about his friendship with Jeffery Epstein.
On the international front, several papers lead with images of Israeli hostages being freed as well as the plane crash in the United States.
The front pages also leave room to report on Ireland v England in last night’s Six Nations, coverage which is continued on the back pages. But the back pages are mostly dominated by football news, with reports Marcus Rashford is set to go on loan to Aston Villa.
‘Government Cracks Down on AI-Generated Child Abuse Images,’ says the Mirror.
The Sunday Mirror leads with a stark warning about the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery. The government is introducing new laws to tackle the growing threat, with Labour pledging to clamp down on the content after a shocking 300% increase in cases in 2024 compared to the previous year. The figures, provided by the Internet Watch Foundation, highlight the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable children from this disturbing trend.
‘Lucy Letby Case Under Scrutiny,’ reports the Mail on Sunday.
The Mail on Sunday claims a “bombshell revelation” in the Lucy Letby case, suggesting the jury may have been misled over key evidence. The story reveals that during the initial investigation into suspicious incidents at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Letby was off duty for 10 out of 28 incidents. Cheshire Police have stated that their primary focus remains on the affected families and ongoing investigations.
‘Brexit Fears Reignited As Starmer Edgining Us Back Into EU,’ claims the Express.
“Keir edging us back into the EU” is the bold headline from the Sunday Express. The paper reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to attend a dinner with EU leaders on Monday, sparking concerns among Brexiteers that he may discuss “major concessions” that could weaken the UK’s independence. Critics fear the move could turn the UK into a “serf of the EU,” reigniting the Brexit debate.
‘Gambling Firm Under Fire for Unlawful Marketing,’ reports The Observer.
The Observer highlights the case of a “high-risk gambler” who received 1,300 personalised marketing emails from Sky Betting & Gaming over two years. The man’s gambling habits were allegedly used to target him without proper consent, raising serious questions about the ethics of gambling advertising. Flutter, the parent company of Sky Betting & Gaming, has made “significant changes” since the incident but is considering an appeal against the ruling.
‘Prince Andrew’s Ties to China Under Scrutiny,’ is the lead for the Times.
The Sunday Times delves into newly-released court documents suggesting that China viewed Prince Andrew as a “valuable communication channel.” The files reveal that MI5 questioned the Duke of York’s most senior aide about his relationship with alleged spy Yang Tengbo, adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing scrutiny of the royal’s connections.
‘Labour Plans to Overhaul Immigration Laws,’ says the Telegraph.
The Sunday Telegraph leads with the government’s plans to reverse legislation used to block illegal migrants from obtaining British citizenship. The new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill aims to overturn laws introduced by the previous Conservative government, including measures that allowed for scientific age checks on asylum seekers. The move has sparked debate over the future of the UK’s immigration policies.
‘Traitors Winner Jake Brown’s Marital Drama,’ highlights the Sun on Sunday.
Finally, The Sun on Sunday splashes with the headline “You Traitor,” revealing that Traitors winner Jake Brown was confronted by his wife after meeting with a female work colleague multiple times. The story has sparked a mix of sympathy and gossip, with readers weighing in on the reality star’s personal life.
