Sunday Papers – PM ignored Pincher sex pest warnings 

The Sunday Papers feature a variety of stories. Several papers report on claims the prime minister ignored allegations about Chris Pincher’s sexual conduct before he gave him the job of deputy chief whip.

The resignation of Chris Pincher as the government’s deputy chief whip after he was alleged to have groped two fellow guests at the Carlton Club, led several Tory MPs to “complain to the whips’ office about his behaviours”.

Comments from the Sunday papers suggest that the PM ignored Pincher sex pest warnings because he losing allies in his party and others have commented that he has a soft attitude to discipline due to his own reckless behaviour.

And last but not least Happy birthday to Tom Cruise, who turns 60 today.

A roundup of the latest news

BT workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced. BT workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike after the company announced record profits.

The i paper marks the fiftieth anniversary of Britain’s first Pride march. The paper has comment pieces from the PM and five former prime ministers.

Theresa May writes that the government “must keep” its promise to ban transgender conversion therapy – and also expresses regret for her own previous opposition to LGBT equality.

MORE THAN 170 people who worked for the British embassy in Kabul remain in hiding in Afghanistan in fear for their lives, almost a year after the Taliban retook the country.

A list of Afghans currently in hiding, seen by the Guardian, shows almost 200 former interpreters, security guards and local staff waiting for a response from the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office, the departments responsible for relocating people at risk.

All of those on the list are eligible for transfer to the UK under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap), intended to bring those formerly employed by the UK government, and their family members, to safety in Britain.

The latest from Russia-Ukraine war

The latest from the war in Ukraine, we have the latest news that the Russians have taken over the last stronghold of resistance in eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk province.

Russian forces pounded the city of Lysychansk but the Ukrainians deny that they have lost control, despite a video of the Russian army near the city centre claiming ‘liberated!’

EU and Travel news

In travel news, France weighs return to masks and enforces new travel restrictions due to the rise of covid hospitalisations.

The growing number of COVID cases will impact British travels to the French Riviera. Where authorities have tentatively eased travel restrictions over the past year and are expected to tighten them in the coming weeks.

This comes at a time when travel is booming in France after two years of lockdown.

This is on top of the misery British holidaymakers are suffering at the airports. More cancellations and long queues plague the holidays British at airports, with queues and waiting times on average 4 hours longer than normal.

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The Sunday Times – Prince’s honour for a tycoon who bailed out his failed eco village

The Prince of Wales gave an honour to a controversial Tory peer who bailed out his failed eco-village – that’s on the front of The Sunday Times.

According to the paper, Lord Brownlow allegedly spent £1.7 million “bailing out” Prince Charles’ “failed eco-village”. The paper reports a Clarence House spokesman as saying:

“Chairpersons of charities closely associated with the royal family are often appointed to the Royal Victorian Order to thank them for their public service, on completion of their tenure.” Mr Brownlow did not respond to a request for comment, the paper says.

The Sunday Telegraph – PM turned blind eye to sex pest warnings 

The Sunday Telegraph leads with allegations that the PM turned a blind eye to warnings about MP and former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.

The paper says that the PM’s decision to appoint Mr Pincher as deputy chief whip in February prompted the resignation of another senior whip. The paper quotes the source:

“There was considerable ill-feeling in the whips’ office about Pincher’s appointment.”

He was suspended as a Tory MP last week following accusations of groping two men. He has also been reported to the Parliament’s behaviour watchdog.

Sunday Mirror – Boris’ missed chances to probe Pincher

The prime minister was warned twice about concerns over Chris Pincher, the MP who was deputy chief whip until allegations he groped two men – that’s on the front of the Sunday Mirror.

The paper says the prime minister “missed chances to probe Pincher” and adds that the PM was warned about the alleged misconduct, with more alleged victims coming forward. 

Daily Star Sunday – Let’s all get hot and dirty 

The hot weather could bring water shortages, the Daily Star Sunday warns. “Let’s get hot and dirty” are the words dominating the front of the paper as it reports that rising temperatures mean Britons will be told to wash and do less laundry to prevent water shortages.

Sunday People – Last hope to save the summer holidays 

“Last hope to save summer holidays” is the headline on the front of the Sunday People as the paper reports on the “race” to hire more workers and end airport “chaos”.

A photo of what the paper calls a “weary” passenger waiting at Stansted Airport also features on the front page.

The Observer – PM faces official probe on a plan for 40 ‘new’ hospitals 

The Observer reports that an inquiry will be launched into Boris Johnson’s claim that 40 new hospitals will be built by 2030.

The PM faces official probe from the National Audit office after reports that his promises were ‘exagurated’.

The government’s official spending watchdog, the independent National Audit Office, is set to launch an inquiry into the prime minister’s claim that 40 new hospitals will be built by 2030.

According to the paper, it comes as concerns grow in Whitehall that the pledge is not affordable and has been oversold to the public.  

The paper’s front-page picture slot is a photo of two women among the crowds who gathered in central London for the annual Pride march, which returned for the first time since the start of the pandemic. 

Sunday Express – Boris told: We need tax cuts now

The Sunday Express leads with the headline we need tax cuts now. The paper reports ministers are urging Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cut taxes now, rather than wait until the next election.

A Cabinet rift is emerging, according to the Sunday Express, which adds that supporters of tax cuts in the government say people need more help now, as the cost of living rises. 

That completes your round-up of the Sunday papers. Don’t forget you can watch Wimbledon, the cricket and formula one from Silverstone today.

Brutal Russians take the last stronghold from Ukrainians in the east

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