Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Several of Thursday’s front pages report on what the papers have dubbed the biggest maternity scandal in the NHS. The damning review into maternity services at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, by the senior midwife Donna Ockenden.
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Childbirth ‘not safe’ in England
“Childbirth ‘is not safe for women in England’,” says the Times. The paper reports on Ockenden’s comments that the failures there were “not unique” and that “safe maternity care for all” must be the legacy of the 201 babies who died.
The front page of the Daily Mirror says “Stolen lives,” and pictures two bereave mothers hugging. The women – Rhiannon Davies and Kayleigh Griffiths – played a massive role in getting the inquiry, which the paper says laid bare “two decades of fatal failings.”
The Independent says mothers were “wrongly blamed for their babies’ deaths,” while the issues with care went ignored.
The Daily Mail points towards the “obsession” with so-called normal or natural births and how it contributed to the scandal. The paper highlights a pledge from Sajid Javid that those responsible would be “held accountable”.
The Daily Express carries the vow of one anguished mother whose child died: “Justice is coming. For every baby.”
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Ukraine war – the latest coverage from the UK newspapers
Elsewhere, some of the papers are leading with the ongoing Ukraine war – with several papers picking up on a rare speech from the head of GCHQ Sir Jeremy Fleming.
The Daily Telegraph leads with comments from the head of GCHQ that President Putin’s aides are lying to him. The paper reports that Putin has already sacked eight generals and says there is mounting evidence that he is turning on his own spy chiefs.
The Times also carries Sir Jeremy’s comments and says Vladimir Putin is facing “a growing military insurrection over his personal war”.
The Guardian’s lead is on “Ukraine’s rail lifeline.” The paper says railway staff are risking all, and have safely evacuated several million refugees to the west, while the carriages have returned eastwards packed with tonnes of humanitarian aid.
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The Metro leads with the statement from Conservative MP Jamie Wallis – the first parliamentarian to speak publicly about being transgender.
Finally, the Sun reports that David and Victoria Beckham were home with their 10-year-old daughter when a “masked burglar” raided their mansion in west London.