Wednesday’s front pages continue their coverage of the acquittal of Martyn Blake, the Met police officer who shot Chris Kaba in 2022. 

Since the end of the court proceedings, the newspapers can report on Chris Kaba’s extensive criminal history – including reports that he shot a man just days before his death. Kaba was reportedly part of a notorious London gang, and the police officer now has a bounty put on his head. 

Other domestic stories make up the rest of the leading news today with ongoing speculation over the upcoming budget and water companies planning to hike bills. Scrutiny of domestic politics and stories on the NHS also find space on the front splashes. 

The back pages provide coverage of the English clubs in the Champions League both winning their matches last night. 

Chris Kaba was nightclub shooter and gang member

‘Kaba was nightclub shooter and notorious gang member,’ says the Metro.

The Metro reports that Kaba was named as the gunman in a nightclub shooting a week before he was shot and killed. On Tuesday, the judge in Officer Martyn Blake’s trial lifted restrictions that prevented reporting on Kaba’s criminal history while the trial was ongoing. The gang Kaba was part of has put a £10,000 bounty on the cops head, the paper adds. 

‘Blake faces a lifetime under threat and has had to flee his home,’ says the Mail.

The Daily Mail says Blake now faces a “lifetime under threat” noting he has had to flee his home. The judge in the case has extended a ban on the publication of Blake’s address, photos or even descriptions of his appearance.  

‘Despite his acquittal, Blake could still lose his job for gross misconduct,’ states the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph coverage of Kaba features in the sidebar. The paper reports despite being acquitted Blake may still lose his job for gross misconduct. 

‘Calls to make it harder for cops to be investigated and prosecuted,’ says The Guardian.

The Guardian says the National Police Chiefs’ Council has asked the government to make it harder for officers to be investigated and prosecuted over incidents like that in which Kaba died. The paper quotes campaigners calling the move an attempt to secure “effective immunity” for officers. 

The home secretary is expected to make an announcement on speeding up a review of how police are held to account. 

‘Met boss wants cops to be exempt from criminal charges,’ reports The Times.

The Times says Met police commissioner Mark Rowley wants cops to be exempt from criminal charges unless prosecutors show they deliberately departed from their training. 

Despite his acquittal Blake is still likely to face gross misconduct proceedings that could end in his dismissal, which would add to “resentment among firearms officers,” the paper adds.

Water companies to hike prices

‘Water companies want prices jacked up by 84%,’ reports The Independent.

The Independent says water companies are asking for bills to be “jacked up” higher than first indicated earlier this year. The paper asks what justification they have to hike bills up by 84% – saying they are raising prices to deal with the sewage spills they created and cover the fines they incur due to the spills. 

‘Ofwat faces being axed as public loses confidence following sewage dumps,’ reports the i.

The i says water regulator Ofwat faces being axed with politicians and the public losing confidence in the company following the mass illegal sewage dumping in the UK’s waterways. The paper says the UK and Welsh governments are launching a commission to “consider radical reform” of the water industry, adding that ministers have ruled out nationalisation.

‘English water companies could be banned from making a profit,’ says The Guardian.

The Guardian reports that water companies in England could be banned from making a profit in a planned overhaul of the sector. 

October Budget speculation, Labour’s early prison release, Alzheimer’s wonder drug 

‘Public sector workers to be protected from tax raids,’ reports The Times.

The Times says public sector workers “will be protected from Rachel Reeves’ planned tax raids on employer’s pensions contributions, whereas private sector staff face lower wages and less money in retirement.” 

‘Dangerous criminals thank PM as they leave prison early,’ leads the Express.

The Daily Express reports on Labour’s prison early release scheme saying dangerous criminals are being let out of prison early. The paper says violent criminals are thanking the prime minister for early release. 

‘PM tells Pride of Britain winners he’ll do his best to support their causes,’ reports the Mirror.

The Daily Mirror leads entirely on The Pride of Britain Awards as the prime minister met with the winners – who outlined how he could help support their causes. The PM is quoted as saying: “I’ll do my best for you”.

‘Alzheimer’s wonder drug banned on NHS because it’s too expensive,’ – that’s the Telegraph’s lead.

The Daily Telegraph leads on the Alzheimer’s wonder drug which regulators have ruled as being too expensive for NHS use. The paper says research has suggested the drug can slow the disease by 35% but looks to be only available through private clinics.