Newspaper headlines: No 10's 'day of tantrums' as PM's team 'torn apart'

It is the end of the "Cummings era," proclaims the Guardian, as the top aide leaves a "void at the heart of No 10". "See ya!" says the Daily Star.

An official tells the Financial Times that Mr Cummings exit followed "a day of tantrums." The FT says Boris Johnson held a 45-minute meeting with him and director of communications Lee Cain to discuss "their general behaviour." The exchanges are described as "tense".

But Mr Cain tells the Daily Telegraph that the meeting was "warm" and Mr Cummings dismissed claims that he had briefed against the prime minister as an "invention".

The Times suggests the pair were told to leave "with immediate effect" because of fears "they would poison the well" if they stayed.

Senior figures tell the Times that there is likely to be a huge clear out of aides appointed by Mr Cummings and Mr Cain. They predict that ministers will reassert their authority.

Meanwhile, speculation has begun about who may now become the permanent chief of staff. Sajid Javid is touted by the Telegraph and the Times, although sources close to the former chancellor play down the suggestion.

The Sun raises concerns about the government's future direction, and insists the Prime Minister must not pursue what it calls a more "woke" "Labour-lite" agenda.

The Daily Mail asks "is the family Christmas at risk?" with government scientists warning that there is little-to-no scope to loosen social distancing rules when the lockdown ends in England.

The Times takes a different view, concluding that the experts are backing a lifting of the lockdown, and ending Tier one - medium - restrictions, judging them to be pointless.

Campaigners tell the Daily Mail the pledge by Health Secretary Matt Hancock to ring-fence a supply of coronavirus swabs for family visitors to care homes is insufficient. Care home bosses are demanding an immediate rollout of rapid tests to all sites.

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The Guardian reports that 11,000 containers of government procured PPE are clogging up the port at Felixstowe. Freight volume is already up because of Brexit. Retailers warn it could lead to product shortages this Christmas.

The Daily Mirror reports the comedian Eddie Izzard wants to become a Labour MP. His suggestion has been welcomed by the former deputy leader Tom Watson who says he has the "passion that can change the world".

The death of the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, is marked by most of the papers. The Sun and Daily Mail both offer pullouts on the murderer.

The Daily Mirror and Yorkshire Post focus solely on his victims and print photos of all 13 women. The Post says thoughts should be saved for their relatives, acquaintances and friends whose life sentences go on.

There is a suggestion in The Times that train fares could go up by more than 1% above the rate of inflation next year.

But the paper says rail bosses fear a big rise could drive more passengers off the trains amid sweeping changes to working patterns amid the pandemic.

And the Times suggests headphones may be on their way out. Instead, bubbles of sound could be beamed into the the area next to the ear.

Sensors would track the person's position and emit ultrasonic waves in pockets of energy nearby.

The technology would enable different passengers in a car to choose their own music, perhaps ending a few heated discussions.