Newspaper headlines: ‘Shameful’ protests and plans to help economy
A photo of protesters clashing with police in London on Saturday makes the front of several papers. The Sunday Mirror calls the far-right protests “shameful”, saying a “far-right mob” hijacked a demonstration in London.
The Sunday Telegraph also carries a picture of police in riot gear. It reports that ministers are considering plans to make it easier to prosecute people who desecrate war memorials, including with potential prison sentences of up to 10 years. The measures could also cover some of the statues that are currently the focus of some protesters, the paper adds.
On its front page, the Mail on Sunday asks what has become of “the tolerant Britain we love”. But its top story is on the 2m social distancing rule, following warnings there could be millions of job losses in the hospitality sector if the rule is not dropped. The Mail says Boris Johnson is taking “personal control” of the decision over the 2m rule. He has commissioned a No 10 review that will “effectively wrest control” of social distancing guidance from the scientists, the paper adds.
Worries over the state of the UK economy are also mentioned in the Sunday Express. The paper passes on a request from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who urges people to head to their local High Street and shop safely to help the economy recover. Non-essential shops in England can open from Monday, and Mr Sunak has said “it’s important we all do our bit to help”.
The Sunday People reports a total of 800 families whose relatives have died with coronavirus in care homes have called for a public inquiry. Human rights lawyer Leanne Devine, who represented families following the Hillsborough disaster, tells the paper she has been contacted by hundreds of families “who want the truth”. The government says there will be an opportunity to look back and learn lessons at some point.
The Observer has spoken to the children’s commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, who warns that reduced access to education is being allowed to become “the default” in some schools. She suggests children’s basic right to an education could be at risk and adds it is a “very dangerous place to be”. The paper says there is “growing frustration” among teachers, MPs and unions over “the chaotic return of schools”.
The Sunday Times’ top story is on plans – developed under ex-PM Theresa May – to allow transgender people to change their birth certificates without a medical diagnosis. The paper says it has been leaked information showing the plans have been scrapped. Instead, alternative plans have been put forward including a ban on “gay cure” therapies and new protections for female-only spaces. It comes after a consultation on the Gender Recognition Act, which received more than 100,000 responses.
The Daily Star reports that animal rights groups are “in a flap” after eight of the Queen’s racing pigeons died while in quarantine. The birds had been sent to South Africa to take part in a race but they were put in crates and died. Campaigners want the competition – called the The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race – to be banned.
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