Today’s news summary – Paper Talk

The newspaper front pages were published well before the result of the North Shropshire by-election, which was announced shortly after 04:15 GMT on Friday.

But there is online reaction to the result, with the headline of the Daily Telegraph’s website describing it as the “nightmare before Christmas” and a humiliating result for the Conservatives. The Times says it a stinging rebuke for the prime minister, while Mail Online says Boris Johnson has been given a political bloody nose by voters in an “astonishing victory” for the Liberal Democrats. It adds the outcome will send shockwaves through the Conservative Party.

The physical front pages report on various Covid stories – from Omicron to the Queen’s scaled back Christmas plans to lockdown fears. There’s a joint investigation by the Guardian and the Independent regarding the PM attending a party during lockdown.

The Queen has led by example by calling off her family Christmas party, according to the Daily Express. The Metro also leads with the Queen on the front page.

Boris Johnson has been accused of bringing in a “lockdown by stealth”, The Sun reports. Whilst Boris and Carrie’s newborn features on the front pages with comments on her ‘unusual’ name.

The Met Police will quiz two people about a party held in Tory HQ during lockdown last Christmas, the Daily Mirror reports.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has cut short a trip to the US to return and speak to business leaders as Omicron continues to hit footfall, The Guardian reports.

Boris Johnson joined No 10 party in first lockdown according to The Independent, who says the PM told one attendee they deserved a drink for ‘beating back’ the virus.