Editorial 04 September 2024.
Wednesday’s newspapers lead with various headlines reflecting a variety of domestic stories. The tabloids lend more coverage to allegations that an elderly man was kicked to death by a 14-year-old boy – who has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. The left-leaning broadsheets lead with the ‘horror’ in the Channel – as at least 12 migrants died after the sinking of an overcrowded boat. Amongst the dead include children and a pregnant woman.
A handful of the papers leave some space on their front pages to report on the reaction following the UK’s decision to ban the sale of some arms to Israel over concerns they could be used in war crimes. The papers assess the reaction- in particular from the US, as the move is the first significant distancing of the UK from US policy regarding Israel and the war in Gaza.
The back pages feature various headlines covering the Premier League, the latest from English cricket and news Phil Foden, Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer have pulled out of the upcoming England camp.
‘Man kicked to death by boy’
Many of the front pages report that a 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 80-year-old man was attacked whilst walking his dog in a park in Leicestershire.
The Daily Mirror says Bhim Kohli was 30 seconds from his front door when he was attacked. The paper also quotes a friend who says Mr Kohli was a “lovely guy”.
The Sun says the 80-year-old grandfather had recently spoken to police ‘about abuse by yobs.’ The paper says Kohli died from a neck injury. Locals tell the paper the yobs ‘spat on’ and ‘threw rocks’ at the elderly man before kicking him to death.
The Daily Express says the nation is “united in horror” over Kohli’s death. The paper notes the police had initially arrested a boy and girl of 14 and a boy and two girls aged 12. Four of them were released whilst the 14-year-old boy remained in custody.
The Times features an image of Kohli and notes that it is the latest in a series of high-profile cases involving children. The paper says residents described the grandfather as a ‘much-loved figure’.
‘Horror in the Channel’
The Guardian is amongst several papers to lead on the deaths of at least 12 people in the Channel. The paper says charities are demanding the government open more safe routes for migrants to help put an end to these unnecessary tragedies. The Refugee Council tells the paper that heightened security on French beaches has led to increasingly perilous crossings, and more humane pathways are needed for those seeking refuge.
The Daily Mail says the disaster will pile pressure on the government to halt the crossings. The paper asks: “How long before the vile smuggling gangs are stopped?”
‘UK and US at odds’
Several of the broadsheets look at what the UK’s recent decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel means for the UK-US relationship.
The Times says the move has put the PM at odds with Washington. American officials are quoted saying there’s been no determination by the US that Israel has violated international humanitarian law. A UK government source tells the paper that US figures privately warned against the move suggesting it could harm attempts for a ceasefire. But the Foreign Office says it doesn’t recognise that “characterisation” of talks with the US and other allies.
The i says Israeli PM Netanyahu has ‘hit back’ at the UK following the decision. The paper says diplomats are seeking to de-escalate tensions with Israel.
The Telegraph says Labour has been accused of “appeasing” its pro-Palestinian base. The former chancellor has called the move “unwise and misguided.”
Elsewhere, other UK-focused stories lead the papers.
The FT leads on reports that regulators are set to scale back a scheme to reimburse victims of fraud. The paper says the maximum compensation banks would have to pay would be lowered from the proposed level of £415,000 to £85,000.
The Guardian has a report on convicted UK nurse Lucy Letby over questions around her case. The paper says the scribbled notes by Letby that were used to help convict her of killing seven babies were made as a result of counselling she received for stress. The notes included phrases such as: “I am evil I did this” – used to help build a case against her. The paper says the nurse was advised during her therapy sessions to write down any troubling thoughts. An expert tells the paper the notes are meaningless as evidence.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner is considering scrapping the Right to Buy policy for newly built council homes in England, according to the Daily Telegraph. The plans could see the discount offered to existing tenants cut after councils warned that the scheme was burning a hole in their budgets.