'PM battles for survival' and Rayner 'ready to go'

56 minutes ago

News image — "PM battles for survival" headlines Metro over Sir Keir Starmer's appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US. At the time of the appointment, it was public knowledge that Mandelson had maintained a friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction for soliciting sex from a minor. Sir Keir has told critics "you're helping Reform" by discussing the matter, according to Metro. The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately. Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment, but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.

BBC "PM battles for survival" reads the headline on the front page of Metro. — "PM battles for survival" headlines Metro over Sir Keir Starmer's appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US. At the time of the appointment, it was public knowledge that Mandelson had maintained a friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction for soliciting sex from a minor. Sir Keir has told critics "you're helping Reform" by discussing the matter, according to Metro. The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately. Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment, but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.

"PM: I'm sorry for believing Mandelson's lies" reads the headline on the front page of the Independent. — The PM's apology for "believing Mandelson's lies" tops the Independent. The paper reports that pressure from Labour MPs is now building "to sack key aide Morgan McSweeney".

"Labour 'women in grey suits' may be sent to No 10 to tell PM to resign" reads the headline on the front page — "Labour 'women in grey suits' may be sent to No 10 to tell PM to resign", writes the i Paper, a reference to the so-called "men in grey suits" who told Margaret Thatcher to resign in 1990. MPs believe the PM is now "toast", but Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner "won't challenge the Prime Minister yet", according to the paper.

"PM labelled 'gullible and weak' over Mandelson" reads the headline on the front page of the Times. — The Times leads with the PM being labelled "gullible and weak" by former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman. The paper says Sir Keir's apology to Epstein's victims for Mandelson's appointment comes as "Labour dismay grows".

"The spy who failed me" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Star. — The Daily Star says Sir Keir is "in firing line" over the fallout from the Epstein files. It headlines on "the spy who failed me" adding that the PM "blamed Britain's spies" for the appointment of Lord Mandelson to the role of ambassador to the US.

"Starmer in appeal to Labour MPs as pressure grows for No 10 reset" reads the headline on the front page of the Guardian. — The Guardian writes that Starmer is "in appeal to Labour MPs as pressure grows for No 10 reset". The paper also reports a private jet owned by "Trump friend" and "Florida property tycoon" Gil Dezer was used for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights.

"Starmer apologises to Epstein victims as crisis over Mandelson ties deepen" reads the headline on the front page of the Financial Times. — "Starmer apologises to Epstein victims as crisis over Mandelson ties deepens" headlines the Financial Times, with one minister saying that the PM could see an "unedifying end". The paper also splashes on more details from the Epstein files, saying Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor "touted felon's business during Queen's visit to UAE".

"Rayner: I'm ready to go" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mail. — Former Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has told friends she is "ready to go" on a leadership campaign, according to the Daily Mail. "As Starmer fights for his political life", she is "primed to strike", it adds.

"Rayner tilt at No 10 hit by tax inquiry" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. — The Daily Telegraph reports that an unresolved investigation into Angela Rayner's taxes could thwart any potential bid for the party leadership. Australian actress Margot Robbie is splashed on the front page as the film adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" premieres in London - "it's me, Cathy", the Telegraph captions the shot.

"On me red, son" reads the headline on the front page of the Sun. — Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney's son has been "offered Man U deal" leads the Sun. The "teen is target" as the paper headlines "on me red, son".

"Daily statins safe for millions more to take" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Express. — "Daily statins safe for millions more to take" writes the Daily Express. A major review has found that the "cholesterol-busting drugs are not responsible for side effects", it reports.

The Daily Mail believes that the former deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, is eyeing Sir Keir's Starmer job. "I'm ready to go" is its headline, reflecting what she's said to have told one Labour MP as the prime minister, in the paper's words, "fights for his political life".

But the Daily Telegraph reports some MPs, including allies of the former deputy prime minister, believe she may be unable to stand while she awaits the outcome of an HMRC inquiry into her failure to pay a £40,000 stamp duty bill on a flat.

The Daily Mirror says there is a "Keir and present danger" to the prime minister's tenure because of Lord Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. According to the i Paper, Labour MPs are "wargaming" how to get rid of Sir Keir. The paper says they are considering sending a delegation of senior female MPs to Downing Street to tell him to stand down as Tory men in grey suits told Margaret Thatcher to go in 1990.

The Times reports that Sir Keir Starmer, his ministers and advisers will be forced to disclose all communication with Lord Mandelson before and after his appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US. The disclosure is expected to be the biggest release of previously confidential government documents since the Covid inquiry. The paper says the release has the potential to be "politically explosive".

"Daily statins safe for millions more to take", declares the main headline in the Daily Express. The paper says a "landmark study" has found "incontrovertible" evidence that the drugs are not behind conditions such as memory loss, dementia and depression. Writing in the Express, Professor Bryan Williams of the British Heart Foundation says there's "absolutely no doubt" that "statins save lives". But the paper's editorial says while medicines play a "crucial role" for many "getting active is the prescription" they need.

The Sun reports that 16-year-old Kai Rooney "is following in the footsteps" of his father, Wayne Rooney, by being offered a new deal by Manchester United. The paper says the contract is a one year scholarship, which would then switch to a three year professional deal, worth around £50,000 a year.

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'PM battles for survival' and Rayner 'ready to go'

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