Editorial 21 April 2024.

Sunday’s front pages cover a variety of topics, mostly domestic – and for the tabloids, mostly celebrity gossip.

A few of the papers cover Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday, marked with a private party last night in London.

Met Police chief urged to resign & Posh Spice turns 50

The Sunday Telegraph reports Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has been urged to resign after one of his officers accused a man of being “openly Jewish” during a pro-Palestinian protest.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is quoted acknowledging that the police “have a hugely difficult job” – but he suggests the Met has been “disrespecting” Jews.

Suella Braverman writes her own article for the paper, saying Sir Mark must go. She says there is “too much fear and even more favouritism” in the way the Met policies pro-Palestianinan protests.

Writing in the Sunday Times, the man who was warned he could be arrested, Gideon Falter, also says Sir Mark has to go. He claims: “It’s not just that central London is a no-go zone for Jews, but a police-enforced, Jew-free zone.”

Labour’s plan to win Tory votes

The Observer says Labour is launching a new campaign to win over Tory-supporting pensioners ahead of the local elections in England next month. The paper says Labour has detected alarm among older people about the impact of the Tory tax-cutting pledge on pensions and the NHS. Top Labour figures believe Jeremy Hunt made a huge error when he announced the Tories want to abolish NI contributions.

The front page of the Sunday Telegraph features an article written by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. He says he’s proud to be English and his party will celebrate St George’s Day on Tuesday “with enthusiasm”. The paper suggests the article is a bold attempt to outmanoeuvre the Conservatives on the issue of national identity. It’s also described as a “slapdown” to those in his own party, who’ve criticised Labour’s use of patriotic symbols in its campaigning.

Inside the Sunday Express, the paper says Mel Stride and Victoria Atkians have defended the government’s plan to tackle “the sick note culture.” They say it’s unacceptable that huge numbers of people keep getting signed off work.

The Sunday Express’s front page lead reports that the Home Office is preparing a list of asylum seekers who will be the first to be deported to Rwanda. The paper says more than 24,000 people have been told they are being considered for removal. The list will have around 200 people on it.

Just Stop Oil features on the front page of the Sunday People and the Sunday Mirror as climate change activists from the group are planning to cause misery for thousands this summer. According to reports, they are planning to storm airports across the UK and Europe.