The Papers: ‘Streeting accused of coup’ and ‘King: We’ll help police’

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused of attempting a “No 10 coup”, reports the Daily Telegraph in its top story. It characterises his publication of texts with former British ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson as “an attempt by Mr Streeting to neutralise any obstacles in a future leadership contest”. Lord Mandelson’s appointment to the position came at a time when it was publicly known he had maintained a friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction for paedophilia. The appointment has come under fresh scrutiny after the publication of the latest Epstein files by the US justice department. The BBC understands Lord Mandelson’s view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately. Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment, but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused of attempting a “No 10 coup”, reports the Daily Telegraph in its top story. It characterises his publication of texts with former British ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson as “an attempt by Mr Streeting to neutralise any obstacles in a future leadership contest”. Lord Mandelson’s appointment to the position came at a time when it was publicly known he had maintained a friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction for paedophilia. The appointment has come under fresh scrutiny after the publication of the latest Epstein files by the US justice department. The BBC understands Lord Mandelson’s view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately. Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment, but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.

The Times headlines with the “PM comes out fighting as cabinet falls in line” after “surviving an attempt to force him from office”. After Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for the PM’s departure, one minister tells the paper Sarwar was “Streeting’s outrider”, while another said he had “bottled it”.

The Financial Times also leads with Starmer and Streeting, saying the former “defies calls to stand down” as allies have accused the latter of “fuelling crisis”. Lower down the page is a report that the US embassy in London has been denying visas to “top executives over petty offences going back to the 1970s”, as US President Donald Trump’s “immigration clampdown extends to the UK”.

“Resign now!” demands the Daily Express, saying Starmer is on the “brink as calls to go mount”. The paper says the PM had to “plead for his future”.

The Guardian leads with “embattled” Starmer’s rebuttal: “I’m not prepared to walk away”. In an exclusive, it says a leadership website for former Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner briefly appeared online in January, which her team have labelled “fake”.

After the “mauled PM wins cabinet backing”, Metro asks “how long?” Also on its front is a photo of King Charles III as he is heckled on a visit to Clitheroe over his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein. The King has announced that Buckingham Palace is ready to support the police as they consider allegations against his brother.

The cabinet have been “bounced into giving PM stay of execution” according to the Daily Mail. In a double header, the paper also notes the “King’s ‘profound concern’ over Andrew claims as Palace ready to work with police”.

The King announcement also tops the Daily Mirror in the latest “royal bombshell for Andrew”. It says the King’s move is “an unprecedented development”, that comes as the Prince and Princess of Wales have said their “thoughts remain focussed on the victims”.

The impact of the fallout from the Epstein files on the royal family also leads the Daily Star in an echo of the Mirror with “King: We’ll help police.” The paper also promises the “full story as Starmer fights for survival”.

And in a merger of the day’s top stories, the Sun marks the King’s promise to “help cops on Andy” as coming “as PM fights to cling on”. Thames Valley Police have said they are examining claims that Andrew shared confidential trade secrets with Epstein, the paper writes.

In its commentary, the Daily Mirror says the prime minister “held his ground”, but that “governing with a purpose must follow”. The Daily Express asks: “Wouldn’t it be more honourable to quit now?”

The Daily Mirror calls the King’s offer to “assist police with their investigations” into his brother a “royal bombshell for Andrew”. The Sun says the statement is “unprecedented”. The Mail‘s commentary says the intervention is “significant” but there is “one word no one in the House of Winsdor seems able to utter: sorry.” Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has previously denied any wrongdoing.

The Financial Times says the US embassy in London is denying visas over petty offences, in some cases going back to the 1970s. Lawyers say executives are among those affected, in what the paper calls a “sign of how far-reaching the US anti-immigration drive has become”. The state department said it was “upholding the highest standards of national security through the visa process”.

And, the Times says you can buy a “former royal island” for the price of “a modest semi-detached house in the home counties”. The paper says Ynys Gifftan, which sits within Yr Wyddfa national park (Snowdon), was once owned by Queen Anne but could now be yours for £350,000. It says while the island has no electricity it does have “a mains water pipe and a septic tank”.

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