Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Many of Tuesday’s front pages report on Britons trapped in Sudan and the race to get them home amid violence in the region. There are also several front-page tributes to Len Goodman, who died yesterday at the age of 87.
UK citizens in Sudan
The Times reports on a “race against time” to evacuate 4,000 UK citizens from Sudan, who are facing a choice between staying in Khartoum with dwindling food and water, or attempting to escape and risking hijacking or gunfire. The i states that those seeking to leave will have to embark on a three-day journey to reach Royal Navy rescue ships, which ministers say is a more challenging operation than the Afghanistan withdrawal of 2021. The Sun warns of “deeply uncomfortable reminders” of the Afghanistan withdrawal, urging ministers to act urgently. The Daily Mirror calls for immediate action to evacuate all UK citizens from Sudan.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reports that Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will not mention the situation in Sudan during a major speech in London, instead focusing on the “threat of a new Cold War with China.” The paper says Cleverly will urge Chinese President Xi Jinping to “come clean about the biggest military buildup in peacetime,” but will also insist that it is “a betrayal of British interests to isolate China.”
Corporate taxes too high
The Financial Times highlights speeches by the Prime Minister and Chancellor at a meeting of business leaders, with Jeremy Hunt admitting that corporate taxes were too high. The Daily Mail highlights an exchange between Rishi Sunak and the chairman of Burberry, who criticised the removal of VAT refunds for foreign visitors who shop in the UK. Sunak has also written in the Daily Express, promising to “preserve the rights and dignity” of women and safeguard protections against “gender extremists.”
Diane Abbott should step down
The Sun reports that senior civil servant Sue Gray could be blocked from taking up a job with Labour until after the next election, due to her role in investigating Partygate. The Guardian quotes two Labour frontbenchers as suggesting that Diane Abbott should consider stepping down at the next election, following her suspension from the party over comments deemed antisemitic.
