‘Blood infected inquiry’ & ‘City win the Premier League’ – Paper Talk
Monday’s front pages are dominated by the imminent findings of the infected blood inquiry and Manchester City winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
On the international front, the Cannes Film Festival and the helicopter crash that killed the Iranian president also make several leads. Many of the papers went to print before it was confirmed the president had been killed in the crash.
On the back pages, Manchester City’s Premier League title win– as well as Pep Guardiola’s hint that he could leave at the end of the next season lead the papers. Many of the newspapers feature special pullouts bidding farewell to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
- Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi killed in helicopter crash – state TV
- Israel war cabinet minister vows to quit if there is no post-war plan for Gaza
‘Blood infected inquiry’
The imminent findings of the infected blood inquiry feature on the front of many pages. The public inquiry into the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history is set to publish its findings on Monday.
The Daily Express proclaims, “Least we can do!” in anticipation of a “long-awaited official apology for victims of the infected blood scandal” from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The Daily Mirror’s headline reads, “Blood on their hands. Report to shock the nation,” discussing the scandal and questioning the delay in exposing “deadly government failings.”
Similarly, the Daily Mail predicts an apology from the prime minister for the “worst treatment disaster in NHS history,” with the report’s findings expected to be “devastating.” The front page also features a photo of actress Sienna Miller at the Cannes Film Festival with her daughter Marlowe, promoting her new film, Horizon: An American Saga.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Rishi Sunak will express “horror and regret” over the blood scandal. The paper also includes a photo of Sienna Miller with co-star Kevin Costner, under the headline “Untouchable,” referencing one of Costner’s famous films.
‘Iran president dead’
The newspapers cover the search for the Iranian president but their editions had gone to print before his death was confirmed. Many of the papers, at the time assuming his death, started to consider the president’s legacy. The papers note his role in the deaths of thousands of political activists in the 1980s.
The Guardian leads with concerns that Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi, may have been killed in a helicopter crash. Further down the page, it highlights Manchester City’s “Four in a row” win.
The Times says that if the death of Ebrahim Raisi is confirmed, elections would be held within two months.
The FT says Ebrahim Raisi eased long-running tensions about the extent of the power of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Ladies and gentleman, the Butcher of #Tehran. #Raisi👇 pic.twitter.com/8MpiF7NziK
— Darya – Daughter Of Cyrus (@D62Darya) May 20, 2024
‘Man City win the Premier League, Klopp’s farewell’
The Premier League dominated the front and back pages after City won its fourth title. Many of the papers feature puns on the fourth title.
The Daily Star celebrates Manchester City making “footie history” with the headline “Fantastic 4”.
The Telegraph reports it’s “Eu-four-ia” but notes a “season of reckoning awaits” because of uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future at the club and the financial case being brought against Manchester City by the Premier League.
The Guardian’s Jonathan Liew says City’s dominance has made the idea of a genuine title chase into a myth. “See you all back here again in twelve months,” he says.
The Meto notes Manchester City’s “fourmidable” win. The i mentions Manchester City’s “Fantastic 4.”
“City’s Big Four” is the caption accompanying a photo of Manchester City for the Express.
Away from the three main leads, other domestic and international stories find space on the front pages.
The Financial Times announces, “G7 allies warm to US plan of rushing funds to Ukraine as Trump threat rises,” reporting upcoming talks on a loan of “tens of billions of dollars” to Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion, ahead of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House.
The Metro features a revelation by renowned chef Heston Blumenthal, who discloses that he is bipolar and advocates for a “change in attitudes to neurodiverse” individuals in the workplace.
The Times leads with Labour’s plan to make gender change easier, allowing decisions to be signed off by a single doctor.
The I paper highlights a “revolutionary” artificial intelligence (AI) trial offering “breast cancer hope for millions” on the NHS.
The Daily Star looks forward to a “25C scorcher” for the half-term school holidays.