‘Tory MPs plotting to oust PM’ & Rwanda plan ‘two-week exercise’
Editorial 29 April 2024.
Monday’s front pages lead on a variety of stories. Several of the papers cover the UK’s Rwanda policy with different approaches to the story. Elsewhere, the latest from the UK government also makes a couple of the newspapers – with reports that Tory MP rebels are plotting to oust the prime minister ahead of what is expected to be disastrous local elections for the Conservatives.
The back pages lead on Arsenal’s win over Spurs to take them to the top of the Premier League table – the Gunners got off to a great start but Spurs managed to claw a few goals back in what was a nervy end to the match.
Rwanda plan ‘two-week exercise’
The Guardian says the Home Office will begin detaining asylum seekers across the UK on Monday in preparation for their deportation to Rwanda. The paper says refugees turning up for routine meetings with officials will be held as part of a “surprise two-week exercise”.
The Home Office has told the paper the government is entering “the final phase of operationalising” its Rwanda policy. Refugee rights campaigners and lawyers say the detentions risk provoking long legal battles, community protests, and clashes with police.
The Daily Telegraph says ministers have accused the EU of “double standards” over Ireland’s plan to return asylum seekers (who have entered Ireland through Northern Ireland) back to the UK.
The Daily Mail says “cheek of the Irish in asylum storm,” and says the EU has repeatedly blocked a returns agreement between Britain and France.
Separately, the Mail claims on its front page that “tens of thousands” of foreign nationals are exploiting a “hidden asylum loophole” by lodging claims while visiting Britain on time-limited visas.
‘Tory MPs plotting to oust PM’
The i newspaper leads on PM Rishi Sunak who is resisting calls to go to the polls early, despite plans from rebels within his party. It says groups of Tory MPs are plotting to oust him ahead of what they expect to be a disastrous local election.
The Sun says “time is running OUST for rebels” saying mutineers will make a final bid to topple the prime minister “within days.”
The Daily Mirror says Sunak is under pressure to call an election but that he refused five times during a TV interview on Sunday to say when it would be.
Away from the two main stories, other domestic news leads the papers.
The Times says millions of Britons on disability benefits for conditions such as anxiety and depression could lose their payments and instead be offered support such as therapy and social care – to help them get back into work.
The Metro leads on prices of beer, bread and biscuits are expected to rise after severe autumn and winter rain slashed harvest forecast. The paper says forecasts suggest production of wheat, barley, oats, and oilseed rape could fall by 17.5% on last year, and notes that it comes just as prices are beginning to fall after the inflation of recent years.
The Sun leads on the mother of Gogglebox star George Gilbey has revealed the last words he said to her before his death. The paper says he called his mum just hours before the accident and quotes her saying: “He was happy. He ended the call with ‘I love you’. I treasure those words.”
