The row over Lord Mandelson’s vetting is across the front pages of the morning papers.
For its lead, the Daily Mail picks up on the Guardian’s reporting that two of Sir Keir Starmer’s top aides found out last month Lord Mandelson was given the green light to become US ambassador against the advice of security officials. The prime minister, described by the Mail as “embattled”, has insisted he had been unaware until Tuesday about what happened.
The sacked former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, Sir OIly Robbins, is according to the i Weekend, set to “dispute the prime minister’s version of events” when he gives evidence to MPs next week. Senior government figures have told the Guardian that the evidence session will be “judgement day” for Sir Keir.
“Time PM took responsibility for the errors”, is the message from “furious” Labour MPs in the Daily Express. They say Sir Keir’s excuses “won’t cut it on the doorstep” in the run up to next month’s local elections. The Daily Star’s lead says its “curtains for Keir”. While in the Daily Telegraph, one minister acknowledges it’s “all over” for the prime minister. “It’s an inevitable death”, they say, “but a very slow one”.
“Strait back to business”, declares the Daily Mirror, as it covers the announcements from the US and Iran that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened to oil shipments. The Times says this indicates the two countries are “drawing close” to a deal to end the conflict. The FT Weekend strikes a note of caution, with diplomats reporting no peace talks are scheduled and Iran’s nuclear project remains the “main barrier” to any agreement.
The Sun details what it calls Sarah Ferguson’s “secret life of luxury”. The paper says since February she has been “holed up” at a wellness retreat in Austria reportedly running up a bill of £144,000. A source says she always orders room service, often tucking into bresaola ham with mozzarella and chicken breast. The former Duchess is rarely seen outside of her chalet, which the paper says is ominously numbered Room 101. A spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson declined to comment.
