'Row over early prison release' and 'Gary's back of the net tax'
A number of the papers are focusing on a review of the early prison release programme, after the family of a policeman killed in 2019 expressed outrage that two of the three men jailed for his death could be released after serving only half of their sentence. The headline of the Guardian gives an apt summary: "Burnham steps in to order review in row over early prison release".
The Times reports prison bosses have been ordered to put a hold on plans for the early release of inmates in September, a move by new prime minister Andy Burnham that the paper says has led to "chaos in jails" across England and Wales. Burnham spoke to reporters in Bath, it says, telling them he was making no guarantees but wanted to assure himself that "everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds".
"It is deplorable that freeing prisoners early is acceptable" reads the headline of the Telegraph, quoting the widow of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in 2019 after investigating the theft of a quad bike in Berkshire. Two then-teenagers attempted to flee the scene in a car driven by a third person, the paper reports, dragging the police officer for more than a mile along country roads after his ankles became caught in a tow rope.
The Express features a full page photograph of Andrew and Lissie Harper, paired with the headline: "My Andrew and every victim deserves better".
The same image of the couple is front and centre of the Independent, which also carries statements from the late policeman's family. It includes remarks from Harper's mother, who said it was an "insult" that two of her son's killers could be considered eligible for the early prison release scheme.
The Daily Mail suggests that following Lissie's "dramatic intervention", the future of the entire early prison release scheme is now in doubt.
More than 100 millionaires have urged the prime minister to make them pay more tax, according to the Daily Mirror. The paper reports the group Patriotic Millionaires includes former England striker Gary Lineker. It has put out a statement that says a 2% tax on the assets of people worth more than £10m could raise £24bn for the UK.
The Daily Star calls it "Gary's back of the net tax".
Burnham's vision for a "nationally integrated public transport system" is considered by the Metro, following the announcement of a reduction in the national cap on most bus fares in England.
The Sun features an interview with Paul Rees, a Top Gear driver who played "The Stig" and is suing the BBC following a crash involving Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff in 2022. Rees is suing BBC Studios for damages in excess of £100,000, after he says he suffered back injuries and post traumatic stress disorder. BBC Studios previously said in a legal response said Rees did not complain of any injuries at the time or after the crash. The company denied it was negligent "as alleged or at all".
"Water execs face criminal charges, accused of major conspiracy to fake sewage tests" reads the i Paper, reporting that Southern Water's former chief exec Matthew Wright and three others have been charged with conspiring to defraud regulators for allegedly faking key sewage data. The paper calls it a "landmark for environmental accountability".
The latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz is the key story for the Financial Times, which reports European gas prices have surged nearly 50% in the last month. It says the market is particularly sensitive to fluctuations as a result of heat waves and concern for winter supplies.
