Today’s news summary – Paper Talk 

Thursday’s front pages feature a variety of stories. The most popular story this morning is Matt Hancock’s leaked WhatsApp messages – with the Telegraph leaking more today. The news of the arrest of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, following the remains of a baby being found in the woods is also reported on. 

For the tabloids, news Harry and Meghan have been asked to give up their UK-based home makes some of the front pages. 

Matt Hancock’s leaked messages 

The Daily Telegraph’s headline for the second day focuses on leaked WhatsApp messages related to the pandemic. The latest messages suggest that the then-Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, fought to close schools in England, while the Education Secretary at the time, Sir Gavin Williamson, fought to keep them open.

Writing for the paper, Sir Gavin reflects on whether he should have resigned when schools were closed for a second time, feeling personally upset and ignored when he pleaded to put pupils first. The journalist who leaked the messages, Isabel Oakeshott, also contributes to the paper, calling the closure of schools the most egregious travesty of the pandemic and citing a disregard for the wellbeing of young people as her motivation for leaking the messages.

The Guardian raises concerns that entrusting 100,000 official WhatsApp messages to a journalist known for her criticism of lockdowns has undermined confidence in the Covid inquiry. The Independent refers to the situation as the “WhatsApp war” and reports that Rishi Sunak faces pressure to accelerate the public inquiry into Covid. The Metro focuses on previous allegations that Mr Hancock rejected advice on testing procedures for care homes, stating that grieving families have been left “sickened,” while the Mirror calls Hancock’s decision a “tragic betrayal.”