Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
There are various leading stories on Wednesday’s front pages – including delays to the Tory leadership race, massive profits from oil companies and pictures of Princess Charlotte feature on most tabloid papers.
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Tory leadership race
The Daily Telegraph’s headline reads: “Hacking warning delays Tory vote”. The paper says security agency GCHQ had concerns that “nefarious actors” could have altered votes by Tory party members to pick the next PM.
The paper reports that there was “no specific threat from a hostile state” but calls the episode “embarrassing for Conservative Party HQ.” The party said it has enhanced the security of the ballot.
According to the Times, the latest YouGov poll suggests Liz Truss has extended her lead over Rishi Sunak. The survey of 1,000 Tory members indicates that 60% of party members want Truss to be the next Tory leader, pointing to a drop in support for Rishi Sunak at 26%.
The Daily Mail has officially backed Liz Truss for leader, the paper claims that “blessed with Yorkshire grit” she has the “boldness, imagination and strength of conviction” to build on what Boris Johnson began.
The Guardian, however, reports on a “humiliating setback” for Liz Truss’s leadership bid and what the Independent calls a “serious blow.” Both papers say she was “forced” to abandon a newly-announced pledge to introduce regional pay for public sector workers – after a backlash within her own party.
A source from her campaign tells the Independent that the policy was dropped in a “full-fat U-turn” and that steps have been taken to make sure “no similar mistakes” are made in future.
Several of the papers reports on the big profits made by oil firms whilst households are facing massive bills.
The Daily Mirror calls BP “Brazen Profiteers” after they reportedly made £880 per second. The paper says energy firms “are rolling in extra cash” and a higher windfall tax would “now be a legitimate response.”
The Guardian talks of “outrage” over the huge profits for oil firms while households face rising energy bills. The company’s chief executive, Bernard Looney, has said BP will be investing £18bn in Britain this decade.
The Financial Times calls the controversial visit by US house speaker Nancy Pelosi the “Taiwan tussle.” Whilst the Mail reports China has made “chilling threats” with promises of “targeted military action”.
Lionesses’ glory & Rebekah Vardy speaks
“So much for legacy,” says the i, following the Lionesses’ victory as the paper says the government will not guarantee schoolgirls the same access as boys to football in PE, despite the demands to capitalise on England’s Euro 2022 win. The Department for Education tells the paper it is up to schools to decide what sports they teach.
The Sun leads with an exclusive interview with Rebekah Vardy since she lost the “Wagatha Christie” libel battle against Coleen Rooney. Vardy tells the paper she “felt sick” after the verdict, which cost her millions and she claims she did nothing wrong.
And finally, many of today’s papers feature pictures of Princess Charlotte at the Commonwealth Games.
The Daily Express calls her “princess personality” as it captures her pulling faces and giving a thumbs up to her dad Prince William whilst she watched the swimmers.