The Guardian – Six children among 12 dead after boat ripped open in Channel
The Guardian reports on the 12 people who died after a boat carrying dozens of asylum seekers to the UK was “ripped open” in one of the worst Channel tragedies since the small boats crisis began. 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.
Elsewhere the paper 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.
Six children among 12 dead in Channel as crowded boat ‘ripped open’
Six children and a pregnant woman are among at least 12 people who died after a boat carrying dozens of asylum seekers to the UK was “ripped open” in one of the worst Channel tragedies since the small boats crisis began.
In a major test for Keir Starmer’s government, which is facing demands from charities to open up safe routes for those wanting to come to the UK, the French authorities said that 10 of those who had lost their lives were female and many are believed to be from Eritrea.
The French interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, said more than 50 people had been rescued including two who are in a critical condition from the “terrible shipwreck” off Cap Gris-Nez on Tuesday morning. Only eight of the 70 passengers were wearing lifejackets, according to French officials.
‘I am evil I did this’: Lucy Letby’s so-called confessions were written on advice of counsellors
Scribbled notes by the neonatal nurse Lucy Letby, used to help convict her of murdering seven babies, were written on the advice of professionals as a way of dealing with extreme stress, the Guardian has learned.
The notes were relied on as amounting to a confession by the prosecution during her first trial and in the court of appeal, but sources close to the case said they were produced after counselling sessions as part of a therapeutic process in which she was advised to write down her troubling thoughts and feelings.
Densely written on Post-it notes and a torn sheet of paper, they were overwritten in places and sometimes highlighted in capitals. They included the words: “I am evil I did this,” “I killed them on purpose because I am not good enough to care for them and I am a horrible evil person,” and “hate.”
The prosecution used the notes to help build the case against Letby, ending the opening speech highlighting the phrase: “I am evil I did this.” Throughout the trial the jury was repeatedly reminded of that statement, and encouraged to interpret the notes literally.
Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read
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.