The Independent – Starmer forces top civil servant out of office
Cabinet secretary Simon Case says his departure is due to health reasons but it follows revelations by The Independent that ministers wanted him to be sacked.
A large image of tanks massing on the Lebanon border makes the splash as the paper reports Israel is to launch a ‘limited’ ground invasion and Hezbollah boss says they are ready.
UK’s top civil servant Simon Case announces resignation after ministers demanded his sacking
Cabinet secretary Simon Case has announced he will stand down at the end of this year on health grounds but only after The Independent revealed that ministers had told Sir Keir Starmer he should be sacked.
The UK’s top civil servant, who was diagnosed with a neurological condition last year, said that “whilst the spirit remains willing, the body is not”.
His resignation came just days after a row broke out after revelations that ministers told Sir Keir to remove him immediately, leading to protests by the trade union representing top civil servants.
Israel-Lebanon latest: Intense fighting with Hezbollah as Israel sends troops across border to begin invasion
Israel is engaged in “intense fighting” with Hezbollah inside southern Lebanon after sending troops across the border as part of a major assault, the military have said.
Israel’s military Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Urgent warning to the residents of South Lebanon. Intense fighting is taking place in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah elements using the civilian environment and the population as human shields to launch attacks.
“For your personal safety, we ask you not to move vehicles from the northern region to the southern region of the Litani River. This warning is in effect until further notice.”
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 01 October 2024.
Tuesday’s front pages are dominated by two polar opposite stories: Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon and the Strictly Come Dancing bullying report.
The Strictly Come Dancing report leads many of the tabloid newspapers after a report was issued – and an apology from the BBC – into bullying allegations on the hit TV show. In 2023 Amanda Abbington put in a formal complaint against her Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
The report found some of her complaints to be true, but Pernice has been cleared of the most serious allegations. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, but claims of physical aggression were not.
Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon makes up the rest of the UK front pages this morning, as editors speculate as to whether this is the start of an all-out regional war.