Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Several of Wednesday’s front pages lead with the arrest of an unnamed Conservative MP, who was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault with the alleged offences spanning 7 years.
The cost-of-living crisis also continues to feature heavily on the front pages and several tabloids cover the ongoing ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy.
Tory MP arrested today
Most papers highlight the arrest but none of the newspapers or the Tory party has named the MP. There is little detail the papers can add because of the investigation.
The Daily Telegraph says the Tory Party is being urged to identify the PM to prevent other politicians from falling under suspicion. But the Times says the party whips fear that if the individual is suspended, and so their name becomes known, that could identify the alleged victim or victims.
The Daily Express says the Met Police confirmed a man was in custody over allegations dating back to between 2002 and 2009.
The Daily Mirror describes the arrest of the MP as a “new Commons scandal”.
The papers are full of speculation about the cost of living crisis, as new figures due out this morning are expected to confirm that the UK’s rate of inflation has reached its highest level in 40 years.
The Guardian says that with the rate forecast to top 9%, senior Conservatives are pressuring Rishi Sunak to take action on the cost of living crisis. The paper says they want a cut in VAT and increased benefits.
The Daily Telegraph reports that ministers are “warming to the idea” of a windfall tax on gas and oil companies after private polling for the government discovered that it was “wildly popular” with the public.
The Times says the chancellor is drawing up plans to increase the warm home discount by hundreds of pounds in July, before announcing general tax cuts in the autumn.
The Sun leads with the Wagatha trial. The paper’s front page reports the husbands of Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy “kicked off their own war of words.” The court hears that Wayne Rooney asked Jamie Vardy to get his wife to “calm down” at Euro 2016.
