Editorial 11.02.25
The WhatsApp scandal is dominating the headlines, despite the news that the Gaza ceasefire is breaking down or the tariffs war is about to explode. But Tuesday’s front pages lead with a range of headlines centred around UK politics. There’s ongoing coverage of the WhatsApp scandal after a second Labour MP was suspended for the vile messages in the chat.
A handful of newspapers carry an image of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner walking with King Charles as he gave a tour of his housing project in Cornwall.
Several papers feature standalone domestic stories, with little room on the front pages to cover international news or maybe they didn’t think it was important enough to cover, Hmmm!.
Only two of the major UK newspapers cover the breakdown in the Gaza ceasefire on the front pages, and there’s only a sprinkle of coverage of the US steel tariffs.
The back pages also cover a variety of stories, with several papers looking ahead at the Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League match tonight and there’s coverage of last night’s FA Cup action.
WhatsApp scandal, Tariffs war & Gaza ceasefire breaks down
‘Badenoch rules out election pact with Reform UK,’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports the leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said in an interview with the paper that there are no plans for an electron pact with Reform UK, dismissing it as being “for the birds.” It comes amid a surge in popularity for the right-wing party, led by Nigel Farage, as both Labour and Conservatives continue to struggle in the polls.
‘Watering down of assisted dying safeguards,’ reports The Guardian.
The Guardian reports MPs are considering scrapping the requirement for a high court judge to decide on assisted dying cases, with an expert panel to scrutinise decisions instead. There are concerns this could be a watering down of the safeguards contained in the legislation.
‘PM backs campaign to save British pubs,’ reports the Mirror.
The Mirror’s lead reports that the prime minister is backing their campaign to save British pubs from closure. Keir Starmer has hailed the importance of Britain’s pubs and revealed that he sometimes slips out of No10 to go to his old local.
‘Farmers urge Reeves to stop the tax,’ reports the Express.
The Daily Express leads with the ongoing farmers’ protests in London. The paper pictures two farmers with their young son at yesterday’s protest in London. The farmers are protesting the government’s changes to inheritance tax. The paper says “A five-year-old boy has spoken up for the nation’s farmers and urged Rachel Reeves to “stop the tax” so he can join the profession like his parents.”
‘Labour WhatsApp scandal continues’
‘Labour in new woke row,’ is The Sun’s take on the appointment of the new health minister.
The Sun has a jovial take on the latest Labour news, reporting the party’s new health minister reportedly said it’s okay for people to identify as a llama. The paper says Labour has now stumbled into a “fresh wokery row”, because of Andrew Gwynne’s replacement as health minister, Ashley Dalton’s comments.
‘Labour warned a year ago over messages,’ says The Guardian.
The Guardian reports they have been told that the Labour Party was warned over a year ago about a ‘vile’ WhatsApp group. The group involve two of the party’s MPs, local councillors and a series of offensive messages. Gerald Cooney, the former Labour leader of Tameside council in Greater Manchester, said he had told senior party officials multiple times about the WhatsApp scandal.
‘Oliver Ryan suspended over WhatsApp group messages,’ reports The Times.
The Times reports a second Labour MP has been suspended in relation to the ‘abusive’ text messages as the WhatsApp scandal takes over. The paper says Oliver Ryan, MP for Burnley was a member of a chat group with the sacked health minister Andrew Gwynne, who posted anti-Semitic and sexist remarks.
‘Trump’s latest tariff plans’
‘Businesses urging government to step in and protect British steel industry,’ report the i.
The I newspaper reports the UK is fearing its steel industry is facing a fatal blow from Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcements as the trade union community says the levy “would be hugely damaging and threaten jobs”. Business and trade union leaders have urged the government to step in and protect the already struggling industry, the paper says.
‘Britain not expected to join EU in retaliation tariffs against US,’ reports The Times.
The Times says Britain is not expected to join the EU in responding with retaliatory tariffs. The paper says the government is hoping to negotiate an opt-out from the proposed 25 per cent tariffs, which UK Steel described as ‘devastating for the industry’.
‘Starmer could visit Trump as soon as next week,’ reports the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports the prime minister could visit the US president as soon as next week. A much-needed meeting to protect the UK and strategize how Britain will help the US deliver its agenda in the EU.
‘Gaza ceasefire breaks’
‘Trump says ceasefire should be cancelled if hostages not released,’ The Guardian reports.
The front page of The Guardian leaves room to report there are fears the Gaza ceasefire is on the verge of breaking down. Online, there is more up-to-date coverage as Hamas announced it was pausing the release of hostages due to Israel repeatedly breaking the agreement as the cause Gaza ceasefire breaks down.
theGuardian.com says US President Donald Trump has said the ceasefire should be cancelled if Hamas does not release all Israeli hostages.
‘Halt in releasing hostages due to Israel not upholding ceasefire agreement,’ says The Independent.
The Independent lends further coverage of the story on its front page. The paper says Hamas is blaming delays in returning Palestinians to northern Gaza as the reason for a halt in freeing the hostages. The paper says Hamas has accused Israel of not allowing aid into the area – as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Away from politics, the Metro leads with an exclusive interview with solicitor Elsa Baudart who tells the paper about her anger and “sadness” that police are not prosecuting a man who spied on her through a changing room vent in Putney.