Editorial 02.12.24
Monday’s front pages lead with the ongoing backlash facing MasterChef host Gregg Wallace. The fallout over allegations of misconduct has spiralled after he dismissed the accusations against him as from “middle-class women of a certain age.”
Wallace has been accused of engaging in sexually harassing behaviour. He denies all allegations.
Several front pages continue their coverage of the assisted dying bill that was passed on Friday. There are also reports on Labour’s NHS plans and a recent poll suggesting the British public favours a closer relationship with the EU than a free trade deal with the US.
On the international front, many papers find space to report on the latest happenings in Syria. The country’s civil war is back in the spotlight after a new rebel coalition launched a surprise attack, sweeping into the country’s second-largest city, Aleppo.
The back pages offer their assessments of last night’s Premier League Super Sunday – with Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City the highlight.
‘Gregg Wallace backlash’
‘To date, at least 13 female staff or guests have complained of lewd remarks,’ Metro highlights.
Metro leads with Gregg Wallace’s comments, using his words in its headline: “Women of a certain rage!”. The paper reports that to date, at least 13 female staff or guests have complained of lewd remarks and crude jokes, allegations he denies.
‘Wallace facing fury after dismissing allegations,’ reports the Mirror.
The Mirror calls it “DisasterChef” saying Wallace is “facing fury” after he dismissed the allegations against him.
‘BBC under pressure to explain why they didn’t act sooner,’ highlights the Mail.
The Daily Mail continues to focus on the BBC angle saying the troubled TV broadcaster was warned “four times” about Wallace’s behaviour. The paper says the BBC is “under mounting pressure to explain why they did not act sooner.” The Mail quotes BBC: “It would be wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us – not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken.”
‘His ignorance and arrogance knows no bounds,’ says a Sun columnist.
The Sun leads with a response to Wallace’s dismissal of the complaints by presenter Ulrika Jonsson. The star is a former Celebrity Masterchef contestant and a Sun columnist. She says the “tirade” by Wallace shows his “ignorance and arrogance knows no bounds.”
‘Stop digging the hole,’ pleads the Star.
The Daily Star suggests “When you’re in a really, really, really deep hole, stop digging”.
‘BBC facing mutiny from angry staff,’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports on the backlash to Wallace’s Instagram comments and notes the BBC is facing ‘mutiny’ from angry staff.
‘Airstrikes in Syria’
‘Iran top diplomat in the capital to show support for Assad,’ reports The Guardian.
The Guardian reports airstrikes “pummelled” Syria’s north as Iran’s top diplomat arrived in the capital “in a show of support” for Assad.
‘Assad vows to crush the rebels,’ highlights The Times.
The Times notes Assad has vowed to “crush the rebels” who took control of Syria’s second-largest city Aleppo over the weekend.
‘Assad faces renewed threat to his regime,’ reports the Telegraph.
The Telegraph also notes the Syrian President’s vow to ‘crush’ the rebel uprising that has taken control of Aleppo. Assad, who faces a renewed threat to his regime after years of frozen conflict, called the rebels “terrorists” who he said “understand only the language of force”.
‘Starmer new plans to improve living standards’
‘PM will sideline flagship pledge for different economic targets,’ says the Telegraph.
The Telegraph reports the prime minister will “sideline his flagship pledge to make the UK the fastest growing economy in the G7″. Instead, the paper says, Sir Keir Starmer will reveal different economic targets “aimed at improving living standards”.
‘Brits want closer economic ties with Europe over US trade deal,’ says the i.
The i leads with its own recent polling which shows 49% of respondents say that want the prime minister to prioritise closer economic ties with Europe over a free trade deal with the US – only 28% wanting to focus on the US. The paper says Sir Keir “wants to make Brexit work” and hopes closer ties “will boost sluggish growth”.
‘MPs, doctors and charities draw up plans to overhaul palliative care,’ reports The Guardian.
The Guardian also leads on domestic news. The paper says MPs, doctors and charities have “drawn up a blueprint to overhaul palliative care”. Following the assisted dying vote, a commission on palliative care has been set up to help improve end-of-life care “whether or not someone opts in for assisted death,” it adds.