Editorial 11 July 2024.
Thursday’s front pages report on domestic news, with the killing of the wife and two daughters of the BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt one of the morning’s lead stories. It comes after a manhunt in which Kyle Clifford, 26, was apprehended.
Most papers feature images of the England National Team as they beat Switzerland 2-1 to reach the final of the European Championship – where they’ll face Spain. Ollie Watkins is pictured on many of the tabloids after his late goal gave England the win.
‘John Hunt family crossbow horror’
The Daily Mail leads on what it calls “Crossbow horror” after the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt were killed in their home in Hertfordshire. After a 20-hour manhunt suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, was apprehended.
The Times says Clifford was a former soldier and claims the youngest victim – Louise Hunt, 25, had recently broken up with Clifford. The paper says John Hunt had returned home to find his wife and two daughters tied up and fighting for their lives. The paper features large images of the victims – Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28 and Louise Hunt, 25.
The Daily Mirror reports John Hunt was the person who found his wife and daughters after the attack. Its headline reads: “BBC man family slain”. The Daily Express says the crossbow attack suspect was captured in a cemetery after a “huge manhunt”.
The Daily Telegraph’s story on the killings notes that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced she would urgently examine a ban on the sale of crossbows, within hours of the attack.
‘England in the Euros final’
Ollie Watkins goal Netherlands – most papers feature Ollie celebrating his goal that has booked England’s place in the Euro 2024 is splashed on most newspapers.
The Sun says “Ole Watkins” as it looks ahead to the final with Spain. The Telegraph says the striker had been “all but visible” during the tournament but has now secured “instant immortality.”
The Mirror says the decision to bring in Watkins for Kane was “genius”.
The Daily Express is amongst the tabloids reporting that Gareth Southgate is to be knighted if England wins the Euros. Some papers claim he could become Sir Gareth regardless of whether England wins. The Daily Star says it has already been told by sources that he’s likely already done enough to “clinch him the gong.”