There is growing pressure on Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to step down from his role following a damaging report into a prolific child abuser associated with the Church of England. The report’s findings – splashed across many of today’s front pages – suggest Welby “could and should” have reported the allegations against John Smyth when they were put to him in 2013. 

Smyth died in 2018. 

News that Gary Lineker is to step down from hosting the much-loved Match of the Day at the end of the season makes many of the front pages, which acknowledge it as an ‘end of an era.’ The papers also report Lineker is set to quit the BBC altogether after the 2026 World Cup. 

‘Pressure on Welby to quit’

‘Welby’s position looks untenable,’ says the Mail.

The Daily Mail says Welby’s position looks “increasingly untenable”. The paper highlights the report’s findings that Welby failed to act when he had details of the case in 2013. Symth is believed to have abused more than 100 boys and young men, the paper adds. Welby has acknowledged the landmark review made it clear he had “personally failed” to “energetically investigate” and said he had considered resigning but has decided against it. 

‘Prime Minister refuses to back Welby,’ reports The Sun.

The Sun says the prime minister is refusing to back Justin Welby amid calls for his resignation. The paper says figures in the Church have rounded on Welby and called on him to walk away from the job he’s held since 2013.

‘Welby put Church reputation before welfare of victims,’ is the Express’s take.

The Daily Express reports Welby put himself and the reputation of the church ahead of the welfare of victims.

‘Welby right to resist calls for his resignation,’ writes a priest for The Times.

The Times leads with a letter written by Anglican priest and former Conservative politician Jonathan Aitken. He says Welby is right to resist calls for his resignation and says those attacking the archbishop should “heed Christ’s teaching: ‘whoever is without sin, let him cast the first stone.’” 

‘Assisted dying bill includes safeguards’

‘Safeguards in place to ensure people are not coerced into assisted dying,’ reports The Guardian.

The Guardian leads with the publication of the assisted dying bill. The paper says it sets out “hardline safeguards” including “lengthy prison sentences” for people who coerce terminally ill people into ending their own lives.

‘People could kill themselves within 3 weeks under proposals,’ notes the Daily Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph says people could kill themselves within 3 weeks under the process of the proposals. 

‘Dame Esther hopes legislation passes,’ says the Express.

The Daily Express – which has long campaigned in support of assisted dying – leads with Dame Esther Rantzen who tells the paper that she has her “fingers firmly crossed” that the legislation passes.

‘Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day’

‘Deal agreed and everyone is happy,’ says the Daily Mirror.

The Mirror reports an insider has said the deal has been agreed “by both sides and everyone is happy.” 

‘Lineker became a challenging employee for the BBC,’ says the Mail.

The Mail says Lineker has become a “lightning rod and challenging employee for the BBC in deeply divided times”. 

‘Chapman, Scott and Logan could replace him,’ reports The Sun.

The Sun reports on those who could potentially replace him including Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Gabby Logan. 

‘EU to spend tens of billions on defence and security’ 

Away from the main stories a few other international and domestic topics feature on the front pages. 

‘EU changing spending rules as pressure grows on bloc,’ reports the FT.

The FT leads with reports the EU is changing its spending rules to redirect “potentially tens of billions of euros” to defence and security. The paper says Trump’s return to power has put pressure on the bloc to increase investment. 

‘NHS plans for smoking pill will be game-changer,’ says the i.

The i newspaper reports that NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard has said plans by NHS England to prescribe pills to help smokers quit will be a “game-changer.” 

‘Study suggests poll will prevent 9,500 smoking deaths,’ reports the Times.

The Times says a study by University College London suggested the plan to introduce the pills would prevent 9,500 smoking-related deaths over the next five years.