Fears of a possible coup against the prime minister inside Downing Street have been highlighted by The Guardian, which reports that No 10 has launched an “extraordinary operation” to shield Sir Keir Starmer.
Cabinet ministers reportedly see the move as a “stop Wes” strategy, following claims that health secretary Wes Streeting has around 50 frontbench MPs ready to quit if the Budget goes badly and Starmer refuses to step down.
According to The Times, Sir Keir has warned ministers that any coup attempt could shake Britain’s financial markets and damage relations with foreign governments.
Several papers are also focusing on yesterday’s economic figures. The Financial Times says unemployment rising to 5% has dealt a “fresh blow” to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of what it describes as a crunch Budget.
The Daily Mail says Reeves is being blamed for a “jobs bloodbath” after increasing employers’ National Insurance contributions last year. Meanwhile, the Daily Express reports that the Conservatives have accused the government of being “too weak” on welfare, after figures showed four million people are claiming benefits without being required to seek work.
The Daily Telegraph reports that outgoing BBC director general Tim Davie has strongly defended the corporation in his first public remarks since announcing his resignation.
It says Davie blamed BBC “enemies” for fuelling claims of bias and described the broadcaster as “the very best of society” in a speech that reportedly unsettled those calling for major reforms.
The mother of a 15-year-old boy stabbed to death by a former friend at school in Sheffield has told the Daily Mirror she wants to meet her son’s killer.
Mohammed Umar Khan has been detained for at least 16 years for murdering Harvey Willgoose in February. Harvey’s mother, Caroline Willgoose, said she hopes Khan’s apparent lack of remorse is “the mask of a teenager going through hell” and believes he has “been let down too”.
The Mirror praised her openness to restorative justice, saying that “compassion is not weakness.”
