Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Several of Friday’s papers are leading on Nigel Farage receiving an apology from Coutts bank for “deeply inappropriate” comments made about him in a document on his suitability as a customer.
Nigel Farage apology
Dame Alison Rose, chief executive of NatWest, has “finally” apologised to Nigel Farage – that’s the Daily Telegraph’s take on the matter. The paper says many questions which were raised by the issue remain unanswered.
The paper notes her apology failed to identify who had briefed Simon Jack, the BBC’s business editor, that Farage’s account with Coutts had been closed “for commercial reasons.” In its editorial, the paper says the public is owed a “full explanation” of what happened because NatWest is still partly state-owned.
The Daily Mail suggests Dame Alison made an apology “of sorts” to Farage. But like the Telegraph, it says Farage had accused her of being forced into it by the Treasury – and quotes him as saying her letter to him smacked of ‘not me, guv.’
The Times also reports on Farage’s claim that Dame Alison was forced to apologise. It quotes him as saying he’d been told privately that she had. The paper also says Coutts changed the terms under which accounts could be closed in 2021 – to include discrimination.
Royal news
The Daily Mirror and The Guardian lead on royal news. The Mirror reports that new court documents suggest Prince Andrew visited paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was still under house arrest for a sex offence.
The Guardian’s lead reveals details of government plans to boost public funding of the monarchy by 45% in two years’ time. It says a review of funding published by the Treasury yesterday revealed the royals budget is due to go from £86m a year to £125m.
The Daily Express reports on plans to axe pension tax break. The paper says tens of thousands of people a year face losing out under the proposals to start taxing inherited pensions pots.
On the other hand, according to the Times, there could be tax breaks on offer for companies offering health check-ups and treatment to staff.
It says the Treasury is looking at various plans to reverse a post-pandemic “surge” in long-term sickness.
