Monday’s front pages are dominated by several stories – all political. The papers highlight the PM’s retreat over grooming gangs (as they see it) and there is heavy coverage of the latest from the Middle East after Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran – and Iran responded. Cross-border attacks have continued since then and have commentators suggesting the Middle East is on the brink of an all-out war.
A little closer to home, Prime Minister Keir Starmer features on the front pages of several newspapers, for different reasons. There’s of course outrange from the right-leaning media over the grooming gangs scandal, with several papers calling for the prime minister to apologise.
A handful of standalone stories find space on the front pages, including Father’s Day tributes and reports that German tennis player Tatjana Maria became the first woman to win a title at Queen’s Club since 1973.
‘Retreat over grooming gangs’
The traditional right-leaning tabloids the Daily Mail and the Express lead with the announcement of an inquiry into grooming gangs – they call for the prime minister to apologise for delaying what they see was inevitable.
- The Daily Mail says the prime minister is in a “full retreat” after announcing a national inquiry into grooming gangs, something he previously refused to do.
- The Daily Express says the prime minister’s change of direction while quoting Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s call for Sir Keir to apologise for the delay in launching the inquiry.
‘Middle East on the brink’
The story dominates most of the media – domestic and international today. The cross-border strikes have prompted fears that the Middle East is on the brink of an all-out war.
- The Daily Mirror leads with the conflict between Israel and Iran. The paper says there is a “world crisis”, reporting that the prime minister is joining world leaders at a G7 summit in Canada where calls will be made for the warring countries not to deepen the conflict.
- The Guardian also reports on the G7 summit, reporting that member countries will call for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The paper says Donald Trump has claimed he is working behind the scenes to strike a deal to end the violence.
- The FT reports on the back-and-forth of strikes between Israel and Iran, highlighting how the reciprocal missile strikes are devastating residential areas.
- Metro says Israeli PM Netanyahu is quoted warning Iran they will “pay a heavy price” for killing civilians in their strikes.
- The i says the RAF is on standby to defend Israel. The prime minister has said the deployment is “for contingency support across the region.” The paper reports fears that British forces could be “dragged into Middle East war”.
- The Times quotes Donald Trump’s threat to use the “full might” of the US if they are drawn into the Israel-Iran conflict. The paper features a large blaze at Iran’s Mashhad airport.
- The Daily Telegraph reports that “American officials” have claimed Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini. One senior US administration official is quoted as saying “we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership”.