3 hours ago
1
BBC
A "commons showdown" is brewing for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the "Mandelson vetting scandal", says the Guardian. Before the PM delivers a "high-stakes" statement about the former US ambassador's appointment on Monday, there is concern among ministers that the scandal could "cost him his leadership". In Lebanon, people return to their homes "despite the rubble-strewn roads and collapsed bridges" during the 10-day ceasefire with Israel, the paper reports.
The Times also leads with the Lord Mandelson security row, saying that the former British Ambassador to the US "had top level of security clearance". This level of clearance - known as "strap three", according to the Times - "is likely to increase pressure on Starmer". Further from home, US Vice-President JD Vance is heading back to Islamabad for further negotiations with Iran, the paper reports. President Donald Trump has said he is offering a "reasonable deal", while the Times says it also comes with "a dire warning" that the US will bomb Iran's bridges and power plants if it does not come to an agreement.
"Starmer knew about Mandelson red flags", writes the Daily Telegraph. Unnamed senior Whitehall sources tell the paper the PM was alerted of the risks of appointing Lord Mandelson "yet pressed ahead".
The i Paper previews Starmer's statement saying he "fights for his future". Ministers "insist Starmer was kept in the dark and did not mislead parliament" over the appointment, it adds.
The Daily Mail declares Monday the "day Starmer has to stand up and take the blame". The paper's comment section says "this was an appointment for which Sir Keir alone was responsible".
The Independent says it is "judgement day for Starmer" with "growing outrage" over the handling of Lord Mandelson's appointment.
The Daily Mirror joined the prime minister aboard a British nuclear sub, whose crew the paper dubs "heroes of the deep". In an exclusive, the Mirror reports Sir Keir said it was "unforgivable" he wasn't told about Lord Mandelson's vetting issue.
On the front page of the FT economists warn: "Iran war will squeeze US voters long after conflict ends." Sir Keir is fighting to "blunt Mandelson row", the paper writes. Meanwhile, it reports that the now ex-top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, is consulting lawyers after being ousted over the scandal.
"Stick it up your punter" urges the Daily Star as it says "top boffins" at the University of Cambridge - where punting is common - "are using the Daily Star to define what it means to be British". Meanwhile, "Starmer's sinking feeling" also makes the front.
Leader of the Tories Kemi Badenoch "urges PM to tell truth about Mandelson", the Daily Express writes. In its headline slot, it cites research saying "crime costs UK taxpayers £90m a day under Labour."
The Sun raises the alarm for "tank robbers" as it says thieves are opting to "fill up & flee" as the fuel crisis continues. According to the Sun, "even Ferrari owners do a runner".
