Today’s news summary – Paper Talk

The Conservative leadership race dominates the front pages again this morning.

The Metro details the race for No 10 as a “scorcher” – reporting the race is heating up. But the Financial Times reports senior Tories are “plotting to rapidly thin out the field”. The threshold to make it on the ballot paper will be decided by a 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers meeting – the paper suggests they could need the support of as many as 36 MPs. 

But the Guardian reports they think it’ll be 25. 

No 10 – Conservative leadership race

Rishi Sunak is tipped to be the favourite to win the contest, the i reports, but Tory MPs on the right of the party are seeking to block him. 

Boris Johnson’s allies are considering which contender is best placed to beat Rishi Sunak, before deciding who to back, says the Times. The paper says he is the “target of increasingly intense attacks by rivals, who claim him for putting up taxes.” 

Boris Johnson loyalist Nadine Dorries, tells the Daily Mail, that Rishi Sunak has been working with Dominic Cummings. Sunak told the paper he had not spoken to Dominic Cummings since the adviser left No 10 in late 2020. 

The Daily Telegraph says Nadhim Zahawi has vowed to publish his tax returns if he makes it to the final two. . In an interview with the paper, Mr Zahawi accuses his critics of using “dirty tricks” and denies that he has ever been contacted by the authorities as part of an investigation into his tax affairs.

Liz Truss also features in the Telegraph – as she launches her bid to replace Boris Johnson. She says that “it isn’t right to be putting up taxes now” and pledges “a long-term plan to bring down the size of the state and the tax burden”.

Priti Patel is “highly likely” to join the race today according to the Times – pitching herself as the only “authentic” Brexiteer who can lead the party. The paper says she will make a final decision after talking to Eurosceptic MPs.