‘Tory Party sliding into toxic rhetoric’ – the full perspective
Extremism is the focus of many of Sunday’s front pages. Tory MP Lee Anderson has been suspended by his party following his comments about Mayor of London Sadiq Khan which have been labelled as “Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist”, whilst some of the papers lead on private security being used by some MPs due to rising tensions.
Rishi Sunak has since warned about the dangers of polarisation and hatred in politics.
Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer talks to the Observer saying the PM is harbouring “extremists” in the Tory party and must stop the slide into what he calls “toxic rhetoric.”
Starmer says removing the whip from Lee Anderson was right, but warns the fact that he was ever a party deputy chairman raises questions about the prime minister’s judgement.
The Sunday Mirror headline is “Boot out this bigot”, saying politicians “on both sides” think Lee Anderson should now be expelled by the Tories. In contrast, the Sun on Sunday says the Conservatives have been “plunged into fresh turmoil over racism”.
The Sunday Times reports that three female politicians have been given taxpayer-funded bodyguards, because of growing concerns about MPs’ safety.
It says the same committee which is responsible for the security of the Royal Family has been brought in to review arrangements. The Telegraph says the number of MPs requiring protection is believed to have risen since the Hamas attacks in October.
‘Lee Anderson to Reform UK?’
The Sunday Telegraph says Nigel Farage has offered Lee Anderson a place in the Reform party, explaining that he would be a “massive help to the cause”.
Pro-Tory papers The Mail on Sunday and the Sunday Express leave the story of Lee Anderson off their front page.
Instead, the Mail on Sunday reports on Labour’s Angela Rayner suggesting “hypocrisy” after it was discovered she “made a £48,500 profit on her ex-council house thanks to the right-to-buy policy she now wants to reform.”
The front of the Sunday Express reports £5bn will be put into “improving transport links” in “Britain’s forgotten regions”. It reports transportation upgrades will take place in “red wall areas”, using the money saved from the scrapping of HS2.
LEFT WING OR RIGHT WING – ASSESS THE BIAS IN THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS
THE SUNDAY PAPERS – REVIEWED AND SUMMARISED
The Observer – Islamophobia: Starmer turns on Tories over toxic rhetoric
Two women, dressed elaborately in Ukrainian national dress, are on the front of the Observer carrying a heart-shaped placard in the colours of the Ukraine flag, with a Union flag on top of it. The paper’s lead story says Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer “turns on Tories over ‘toxic rhetoric'”. It reports on an accusation from the Labour leader that Rishi Sunak is harbouring “extremists in his party”. It notes comments and actions by Lee Anderson, Suella Braverman and Liz Truss this week.
Sunday Mirror – Boot out this bigot
“Boot out this bigot” reads the headline on the front of the Sunday Mirror, next to a picture of Lee Anderson. It reports on the Tory MP being suspended by his party following his comments about Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Sunday Express – Rishi: £5bn to fire up engine of the North
The front of the Sunday Express reports £5bn will be put into “improving transport links” in “Britain’s forgotten regions”. It reports transportation upgrades will take place in “red wall areas”, using the money saved from the scrapping of HS2.
Sunday People – £61m lottery winner’s feud with brother
“£61m lottery winner’s feud with brother,” reads the front of the Sunday People. The paper has an interview with the brother of Debbie Nuttall, who won £61m EuroMillions jackpot last week.
The Sunday Times – Bodyguards for 3 female MPs as safety fears rise
The Sunday Times reports that three female politicians have been given taxpayer-funded bodyguards, because of growing concerns about MPs’ safety.
It says the same committee which is responsible for the security of the Royal Family has been brought in to review arrangements.
The Sunday Telegraph – Bodyguards for MPs as extremism threats rise
The Telegraph says the number of MPs requiring protection is believed to have risen since the Hamas attacks in October.
Elsewhere, the paper says the head of the British Army has suggested that underfunding has left it in danger of becoming a static land-force. It says that in a letter which General Sir Patrick Sanders sent to several former generals, he says the ability to mount campaigns overseas is in jeopardy.
It quotes him as saying: “I am not sure that this is either the Army the nation needs, or the one that policymakers want.” In response, the MoD said the Armed Forces were always ready to protect and defend the nation.
