‘Russians visited Alexei Navalny two days before death’
The mysterious death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent Kremlin critic, continues to dominate Sunday’s headlines.
According to reports in The Sunday Times, Russian intelligence officers allegedly visited his prison just two days prior to his death. Human rights activists assert that the FSB (Federal Security Service) disconnected and removed security cameras and listening devices.
The Sunday Telegraph suggests that Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s wife, could potentially take on her husband’s role as the Kremlin’s primary adversary. The paper highlights her years of resilience and unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom in Russia as qualifications for the position.
The Sun on Sunday’s editorial urges against letting Navalny’s death be in vain. The paper calls for unified action from the West against what it terms Vladimir Putin’s “murderous tyranny”.
Similarly, The Observer says that Putin must be held accountable for his actions and not allowed to kill with impunity. The paper advocates for severing diplomatic ties with Moscow and expelling its diplomats. “Expel its lying, scheming diplomats,” it says, and “send them all packing”.
‘General election in May’
There is speculation inside the papers over when the next general election will take place. The Sunday Mirror claims the government might call the election in May. One former Tory minister is quoted as saying a poll in May would avoid challenges to Rishi Sunak’s leadership and a damaging race to replace him.
The Sunday Times, however, suggests the election is still expected for October or November. The paper also reports that there are predictions that up to 150 Tories could announce they are quitting as MPs if polls continue to suggest Labour is on course for a landslide.
The Sunday Telegraph’s lead reports on what it calls Sir Keir Starmer’s “broadside” towards Donald Trump – the likely Republican candidate for the US elections. Trump has said the US will “not protect” Nato members that fail to meet defence spending targets. The paper says Keir has insisted that, if Labour is elected, Britain will always stand up for its allies “even if others threaten not to.”
‘Is Prince Harry to return to the royal family?’
Several of the tabloids report on the speculation that Prince Harry could temporarily return to royal duties on behalf of his father – amid the King’s cancer diagnosis. It was understood Harry had been willing to help out, but the King rejected the offer.
The Telegraph features a picture of Harry on its front page and says there’s ‘no way back’ for the prince.
The Sunday Express leads with the story. It says Prince William has “quashed any prospect of a royal reconciliation” with his brother.
The Sunday Mirror also leads on the story. It says Prince William remains angry about the public criticism Harry made about the family in recent years and believes he can’t be trusted. The paper says William would “reject any offer” of help made by Harry and that he has told friends there is no way back for him.
The Sun on Sunday also claims royal courtiers are opposed to Harry returning in any kind of hybrid role. It adds that Harry was stopped from joining the King at Sandringham during his last trip to the UK.