The Papers: Kavanaugh accuser testifies before Senate
ReutersChristine Blasey Ford's evidence to the Senate Judiciary Committee makes the lead for the Guardian and the Financial Times. The Guardian says her testimony - detailing sexual assault allegations against President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, which he denies - was delivered with emotion and precision. The FT says that with the mid-term elections only weeks away, the stakes were as high as they can get in Washington.
For the New Statesman website, Christine Blasey Ford smiled and tried to please, but it felt like she was on trial. It also felt like a trial of every woman, of female testimony itself. The Independent website says Dr Ford relived her ordeal to a committee packed with men - and it was hard not to feel sad for the sexual assault victims who have looked out at a similar room, in a courtroom or at a university panel or even a police station.
Boris Johnson's alternative Brexit proposals to Theresa May's Chequers plan - which he sets out over two pages in the Telegraph - is the paper's main story. It says his intervention, two days before the start of the Conservative conference, is intended as a rallying call to demand Mrs May changes tack before it's too late. The paper itself supports Mr Johnson's call for a Canada-style deal, saying: "We need a Plan B, and Mr Johnson is offering one."
For its lead, the Mail says banks have pledged to introduce new alerts and checks to prevent customers transferring their money to fraudsters. The paper describes the move as a victory for its campaign for greater protections for scam victims. However, the paper's comment column says it's hugely disappointing that they are still refusing to guarantee that victims will be reimbursed. They can afford to bear the cost, the paper says - their customers often can't.
The Times says the heads of Britain's leading independent schools have urged universities to stop making unconditional offers to pupils amid mounting evidence that they are damaging performance in A levels. In an interview for the paper, the new executive director of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, Mike Buchanan, says too many pupils are "taking their foot off the gas" when they learn that they don't need to pass their A levels, or even finish their course, to get into university.
A smiling David Beckham - in glasses and a white beanie hat - is widely pictured on the day he avoided prosecution for speeding. His lawyer - known as Mr Loophole - had argued at Wimbledon Magistrates Court that the penalty notice was received a day after the fourteen-day limit. But the papers are less than pleased. For the Star, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It says the image he cuts is one of a decent bloke who takes responsibility for his actions. He should have realised he was in the wrong and taken his medicine, it argues. In the Sun's view, Beckham may be within the letter of the law, but not its spirit. That's a bad look for a man desperate for public adulation, it says.
