Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
The main focus of Wednesday’s newspapers is the government’s plans to ban asylum claims from those who arrive in the country illegally, in an effort to reduce Channel crossings.
Channel migrant ban
The i reports a “showdown” over the issue, while the Times states that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is prepared to battle judges through any legal challenges. The Sun’s editorial says that this is the only viable plan to end the small-boats scandal and criticises the opposition Labour party for offering no solutions. The Daily Express columnist Leo McKinstry also supports the plan, noting that it recognises the central factor encouraging the illicit crossings.
However, the Guardian’s parliamentary sketch writer, John Crace, believes that the latest attempt to stop the boats is “hopelessly flawed and completely pointless.”
Gary Lineker’s controversial tweet
The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail both report on pressure on the BBC to take action against Match of the Day host Gary Lineker after his controversial tweet. The Telegraph says BBC management is furious and Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay tells the paper that Lineker should be sacked. The BBC said its staff were “aware of their responsibilities relating to social media”.
The Daily Telegraph continues its coverage of the leaked WhatsApp messages between senior ministers and officials during the pandemic, as well as a prediction that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case may be forced to resign when his messages are revealed in the coronavirus public inquiry, while the Daily Mirror reports on a possible deal to settle the pay dispute in the NHS.
Finally, the Financial Times reports that EU regulators have told Twitter owner Elon Musk to hire more human moderators and fact checkers to prevent the spread of harmful material.