Most of Friday’s front pages lead with the new migrant agreement between France and the UK. The deal will see a “one in, one out” process. Many of the right-leaning papers pick up on French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments that Brexit was in part to blame for Britain’s spiralling illegal immigration crisis.
The papers feature images of Starmer and Macron, and images of yesterday’s illegal boat crossings.
A few papers find space to report on the BBC’s sacking of presenter Greg Wallace. The former Masterchef host faced allegations of sexual assault, bullying and inappropriate behaviour. He denies the allegations.
‘Brexit to blame’ – UK-France sign migrant deal
- The Daily Telegraph reports that French President Emmanuel Macron said British people had been “sold a lie” that Brexit would make tackling the crisis easier. The paper says the deal was unveiled hours after hundreds of people were seen being escorted from French shores without being stopped by police.
- The i also reports on Macron’s comments on Brexit fuelling Channel crossings. It says leaving the EU without a returns agreement created an incentive for migrants to make the crossing, which he said was the “precise opposite of what Brexit promised.”
- The Daily Mail calls the deal “a joke”, saying the “half-baked” agreement “was already threatening to unravel” after the prime minister conceded it was “not a silver bullet.”
- The Daily Express also criticises the deal, accusing the prime minister of “caving in.” Opponents say the deal will do little to stop small boat crossings in the English Channel, the paper adds.
- The Guardian also leads with the deal, noting it is the first time the two countries have struck a deal between the UK and France.
- Metro leads with the shadow home secretary Chris Philips, who called the deal a “migrant merry-go-round.” It has been reported that the scheme would see up to 50 people a week being returned, though no figures have been confirmed. The paper adds that there is doubt over whether the agreement will work.
- The Times says the deal is facing strong opposition from some EU politicians.
‘BBC sack Greg Wallace’
- The Daily Mirror leads with a leaked letter from the BBC to the former Masterchef host following his dismissal after 20 years. In it, the Mirror says a senior member of staff tells him his behaviour is “unlikely to improve”. Wallace denies the allegations against him, the paper adds.
- The Times reports Wallace had been warned in 2019 that if his behaviour did not improve, he would face the sack.
A look at stories on the front pages of the UK newspapers
The Guardian leads with the deal, noting it is the first time the two countries have struck a deal between the UK and France.
The upcoming doctors’ strike is set to go ahead, with the leader saying that the 29% pay rise demand is non-negotiable.
Another Israeli strike has killed at least 15 people waiting outside a Gaza clinic.
The sweltering heat at Wimbledon makes the front page.
The Daily Mail slams the deal, calling it “half-baked.”
The paper features a large image of migrants illegally crossing the Channel yesterday on a small boat.
Elsewhere, there’s a standalone from a woman who allowed her 11-year-old to use weight loss jabs.
The Express is also unimpressed with the deal, saying it has been ridiculed as more than 600 new illegal migrants crossed into the UK yesterday. The paper says the deal will do little to stop the boats.
Kate Moss is pictured on the front page as the supermodel soaks up some sun.
Metro also casts doubt on the deal, saying illegal arrivals will be sent straight back to France, swapping them for a legal asylum seeker. The trial will start with just 50 returns a week, with the potential to expand later on. Charities predict the ‘new Rwanda’ for the prime minister.
Johnny Depp is pictured on the front splash as he speaks to the paper about a new movie he has directed.
The Times leads with plans to crack down on the number of “not fit for work” notes issued by GPs. Last year, the NHS issued 11 million “fit notes”, 93% of which declared people “not fit for work” with no alternative plan to get them back in employment, the paper reports.
EU politicians are already in opposition to the UK-France deal, the paper reports.
Meta has reportedly poached a former Apple AI models executive for its “superintelligence” team. Pang was reportedly offered a compensation package worth over $200 million.
Bias Exposed from UK newspapers
The prime minister’s deal with France is being mocked by the right-leaning press, who claim it will do nothing to deter small boat crossings, highlighting that hundreds more arrived illegally yesterday.
- The Daily Mail headline and blurb use highly emotive and mocking framing to discredit Starmer’s migration policy. Terms like “half-baked” and “WHAT A JOKE” suggest incompetence and ridicule, while capitalising “HUNDREDS” exaggerates urgency and reinforces a sense of crisis. The phrasing dismisses diplomatic efforts with France, framing the deal as ineffective before it has been tested. It’s a classic tabloid tactic, using sarcasm, simplification, and alarm to provoke outrage and undermine political credibility.
- The Daily Express headline uses derisive and defeatist framing to portray the Prime Minister’s migrant policy as both weak and futile. Words like “ridiculed” and “CAVE-IN” imply surrender and incompetence, while highlighting “600 more arrive” reinforces the idea of immediate failure. It dismisses the policy without nuance, using mockery and alarm to stir scepticism and reinforce a narrative of government collapse on migration control.