Editorial 08.10.24
Tuesday’s front pages feature images of Israelis marking the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks. The tributes are heavily covered on today’s front pages, mostly in images – with the latest from UK politics being the lead story for most publications.
There is ongoing coverage of Sue Gray quitting her No10 role as well as reports that UK troops could be sent to the Middle East.
Elsewhere, there’s a bit of showbiz news on the front pages.
‘Israel pays tribute to October 7 victims’
‘Sobs and murmured prayers,’ reports The Guardian.
The Guardian says the “sobs and murmured prayers” of mourners gathered at the site of the music festival where hundreds were murdered on October 7 2023. The paper says whilst mourners reflected on the killings at the festival site the “sound of artillery and machine guns being fired in nearby Gaza” were heard.
‘Year of tears, tragedy and torment,’ writes the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror spoke to a British mother whose son was killed by Hamas whilst working as a security guard at the festival. She says he called her on the morning of the attack to say rockets were flying overhead. It was four days later she found out her son had been killed.
The Mail recounts the story of one of the survivors. Yovel Sharvit Trabelsi attended the event with her husband, only to be trapped beneath his body for five hours after he was shot dead.
‘Starmer refuses to rule out sending troops’
‘Starmer didn’t close down suggestions,’ writes the i.
The i newspaper says the prime minister refused to rule out involving the UK military in Israeli operations against Iran during a speech in the Commons. The paper says he didn’t close down suggestions of British bases or personnel being used. It says there are calls for any involvement to be approved first by MPs.
‘Sacking Sue Gray won’t solve issues in No 10,’ says The Times.
The Times continues its coverage of Sue Gray. The paper has spoken to senior figures in Whitehall who say the removal of Gray from her role as chief of staff will not resolve “systemic” issues in No 10. One source is quoted as saying the “dysfunction” is not Gray’s fault and that “just because she is gone” it does not mean things are going to improve. The paper says the PM will not reshuffle his cabinet this year.
‘Donors offered chance to mingle with PM and Rayner,’ says The Sun.
The Sun also leads on domestic politics, the paper says donors were offered a chance to “mingle” with the prime minister and Angela Rayner at the recent party conference if they paid up to £50,000 to sponsor drinks parties. A Labour spokesperson tells the paper the offer wasn’t an “authorised party communication” and that it wasn’t “something that was taken up”.