Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Tuesday’s front pages report of the aftermath of the attempted mutiny by the Wagner Group in Russia over the weekend.
Elsewhere, the news of a sixth suspect in the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, Nicola Bulley’s inquest and Prince William’s bid to end homelessness also make the front pages.
Wagner attempted mutiny
The attempted mutiny over the weekend continues to make the front pages. The i newspaper leads on the “fiery” TV address by Russian President Putin on Monday night in which he promised retribution against those who organised the rebellion. The paper notes a comment from a Russian MP who says the leader of the Wagner group – Yevgeny Prigozhin – should receive “a bullet to the head.” The paper goes on to say that the regime in Moscow is likely to respond to the mutiny by increasing repression.
The Times wonders if Putin will escalate the war in Ukraine in the hope of diverting attention from the situation. In its editorial, the paper says it would be unwise to bet on his imminent overthrow and that Europe should brace for more upheaval.
The Guardian reports that the Wagner Group appeared to be continuing some of its operations yesterday. The group told the paper their five recruitment centres in Russia were open for business.
The Financial Times reports the head of the Wagner group denied his march on Moscow was an attempt to overthrow the government. He instead criticised Russia’s “unprofessional” military leadership. The paper quotes Josep Borrell, the EU’s chief diplomat, saying it showed Putin’s “military power is cracking”.
Nicola Bulley inquest
Nicola Bulley was a 45-year-old woman who disappeared in January. A massive search was conducted and Bulley was found dead in the local river.
An inquest into her death has confirmed she drowned after falling into an icy river.
The Sun says the inquest was told Bulley would have drowned in ten seconds of entering the water. There was no evidence she had been attacked.
The Metro reports on the inquest as its lead, noting Bulley was not harmed by a third party. “It wasn’t murder” is the headline.
Stephen Lawrence suspect named
A BBC investigation named Matthew White – who died in 2021, as a suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder alongside the five that were previously known and revealed evidence that could put him at the scene.
Stephen Lawrence was a black teenager whose murder in 1993 led to an inquiry into institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police.
Stephen’s father spoke to the Mail describing it as “appalling” that White escaped justice for 28 years but adds: “We have uncovered so many flaws in the police investigation that it hardly comes as a surprise.”
The Mirror leads on the BBC investigation – highlighting an incident in 202 when White assaulted a black shop worker and threatened the man by telling him: “You’ll be Stephen Lawrenced.”