Two of the front page headlines starkly illustrate the entrenched positions in the Brexit impasse. The Daily Express has the headline: "Boris tells EU: you MUST back down" while the i has: "EU open to new deal - if PM drops red lines". Who is bluffing: Boris Johnson or the EU? the Spectator asks. The Telegraph says the intervention by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister in charge of no-deal planning - accusing the EU of refusing to engage in fresh talks - marks an escalation in the war of words between Westminster and Brussels. The Daily Mail says Mr Gove's language suggests the government is ready to blame intransigence from Brussels if a compromise does not materialise and Britain leaves without a deal. The Guardian urges the two sides to try to move on from their squabbling about whether they can even talk - because the consequences of not talking will be serious.
The shadow chancellor's declaration that Labour would not block a second referendum on Scottish independence makes the lead for the Times. It describes John McDonnell's stance as a significant shift of policy. The paper says the Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has opened the door to a "progressive alliance" with Labour if the two parties are able to form a majority after a general election. The story is reported in a number of other papers too - with the Mail running the headline: "Labour gets into bed with SNP".
Fears for future of UK grow as poll shows Scots could back independence in second vote Nicola Sturgeon warned the economy will be "seriously damaged" if Britain crashed out the EU without a deal
Scottish voters would vote for independence and want another say on the country remaining in the EU - a bombshell poll has revealed. The poll showed 52% of Scots would back the country becoming independent, with 48% backing it remaining in the UK, an eerie echo of the European referendum in 2016.
I thought it was the EU that has no intention of renegotiation … I thought our PM asked to renegotiate and the EU said no .. take it or leave it attitude from them so to say Boris has no intention is wrong .. if the agreement which has been defeated 3 times now is the only one the EU want to give but our MPs on both sides (remain or leave sides ) think its bad.. then the EU refuse to renegotiate when asked not sure what all MPs think our options are but leave .. I've said before I truly believe if we remain or leave the EU now ..the UK is going to get shafted either way .. and to be honest I'm not really bothered anymore leave or remain, agreement or no agreement, deal or no deal the UK may as well bend over and take it up the **** and do as its told to because this is what it amounts to by our own MPs and the EU … GL at the tables and run golden all
Many people are really fed up with Brexit, but there is no end in sight.
Whether we leave with or without a deal, negotiations are likely to continue for years to come.
Boris seems to have a number of plans, none of which seem to be particularly democratic, like staying on after losing a no confidence vote, suspending Parliament, or delaying an election until after we leave the EU.
Mark Francois has claimed that 60 ERG members would vote against the Withdrawal Agreement, even if the backstop was removed. This would surely make getting a deal impossible.
The backstop is a puzzle.
The backstop is an insurance policy, which would only come into play if we have failed to reach an agreement on a trade deal.
So we were to leave, move into a 21 month implementation period where nothing changed, to provide certainty for business.
That would have given us 21months in which to reach a trade deal.
If no deal had been reached, the backstop would come into play until such time as we did.
The original backstop agreed was to only include Northern Ireland, but the DUP kicked off about NI being treated differently to the rest of the UK.
The backstop was then amended to include the whole of the UK.
Some MPs have stupidly argued that it should be time limited.
Whereas if it was time limited, it wouldn't be a backstop.
The backstop was a concession from the EU, our side wanted it.
It was only meant to last until we reached a deal.
If we could have reached a deal in the 21 months, it would never have come into play.
If the backstop was time limited to say 5 years, and we hadn't reached a deal in that time, what would happen then?
The EU has agreed that the backstop could be replaced by technological solutions, as and when they become available.
They are not yet available.
There is not a border in the world that exists between two different customs territories that has no checks.
Trading under WTO rules mean having a border.
I don't understand the plan.
If the EU agreed to remove the backstop, what would it be replaced with?
If we are outside the Single Market, and Customs Union, what happens to the border in the long term?
How is it possible to avoid a hard border in Ireland, and not treat NI differently from the rest of the UK?
Why would we want to encourage smuggling?
Why would only wish to take back control of some of our borders?
How can Boris use the stronger together argument, when questioned about possible Scottish independence, but the opposite when referring to the EU?
Bradley warns no-deal Brexit will mean WTO customs checks in Ireland
The Northern Ireland Secretary said World Trade Organisation rules are ‘very clear’.
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has made clear a no-deal Brexit will deliver customs and regulatory checks on the island of Ireland. She stressed that, while the UK Government is committed to working to avoid a hard border, World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules are “very clear” and checks would need to be carried out on consignments passing between two customs territories on a contemporaneous basis.
The front pages tell of travel chaos for UK holidaymakers affected by airline strikes and IT "meltdowns". With the headline "Wish You Weren't Here" alongside a picture of a packed terminal at Gatwick Airport - the Daily Mail says it is a "summer of ****" for travellers. The Mail has spoken to a family who spent £900 re-booking onto a new flight only to find they were not listed as passengers - and the Guardian to a pair of teenagers trying to get home to Glasgow, without any cash. Elsewhere, the Guardian reports that a cross-party group of MPs is considering plans to force Parliament to sit through the autumn recess, to stop Boris Johnson pursuing a no-deal Brexit. This would give MPs an extra three weeks, according to the paper, to pass a bill requiring the government to request an extension of Article 50. The rebels are said to be alarmed about the growing power and influence of Mr Johnson's adviser, the former Vote Leave strategist Dominic Cummings. A Conservative insider describes Mr Cummings as running a "reign of terror" at No 10 - after demanding total control of operations as his price for entering government
The Daily Telegraph says the shadow chancellor John McDonnell has threatened to drag the Queen into a constitutional crisis. Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, Mr McDonnell reportedly said if Boris Johnson refused to quit after losing a confidence vote - he would send Jeremy Corbyn to Buckingham Palace in a taxi, to inform the Queen that Labour was taking over. The historian David Starkey tells the Telegraph that if that happened, Mr Corbyn would be arrested. The Daily Express believes Mr McDonnell's remarks are a "dire warning" to Conservative remainer MPs who think that bringing down the government is better than allowing Brexit to happen.
The Times leads on official statistics showing a million more young adults are living with their parents than 15 years ago. The paper says the rise is being blamed on high rents and house prices, and will increase pressure on the government to build more affordable first homes. Other papers focus on the record numbers of older people living alone. The Telegraph puts the rise down to so-called "silver splitters" - divorcees over the age of 55. For campaigners in the Daily Express, the figure is a call to arms to fight the misery of loneliness. The Daily Mirror leads on an investigation into a trophy-hunting firm run by a British former gamekeeper who - the paper says - organises trips for the rich to kill defenceless animals. The paper's front page shows a client armed with a rifle, posing over a dead antelope. The Mirror reports that the company - called ProStalk - offers animals to kill from a list of 66 species, including £6,500 for a hippo, and just £47 for a monkey. The paper's editorial calls for trophy hunting to be banned immediately. ProStalk tells the Mirror its hunting trips play a pivotal role in conservation.
Several papers focus on Jeremy Corbyn's attempt to get Britain's most senior civil servant to rule out the possibility of Boris Johnson forcing a no-deal Brexit in the middle of an election campaign. The Independent website says there are mounting fears that Downing Street will try to deliver Brexit by 31 October "by any means necessary" - even if Mr Johnson's government has lost a vote of no confidence. The article adds that the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox, is understood to believe there is no legal basis to prevent such a departure from the EU, even if there is a general election at that point. The Brexiteer MP Peter Bone tells the Daily Express that Labour is "clutching at straws".
Writing for the Spectator, James Forsyth is convinced we're heading for a 1 November election. He argues Mr Johnson's camp is willing to "push the constitutional boundaries" so the prime minister would not resign if he lost a no confidence vote in September. Instead, he would have two weeks to try to put together a parliamentary majority - and if that failed, he would be able to call an election after Britain's official exit date. Mr Forsyth believes Mr Johnson has been preparing for an election from the moment he arrived in Downing Street.
The issue of knife violence gets plenty of coverage after a police officer making a routine check was wounded in east London - but still ensured the suspect was arrested. The Sun's front page calls him "Britain's toughest cop". The Times reports that attacks on officers rose by 18% to more than 30,000 in the year to March. One senior officer tells the paper criminals no longer fear the police. The Daily Mirror has pictures of young campaigners who have all been affected by violence. The paper urges Mr Johnson to read their 12-point plan to make our streets safer.
The Guardian reports hundreds of Chinese schoolchildren have been illegally drafted in to meet production targets for Amazon's Alexa devices. The paper says it has seen documents alleging many of the children have been forced to work nights and overtime - in breach of China's labour laws. The workers are mainly teenagers from schools and technical colleges. Amazon's supplier, Foxconn, admitted students had been employed illegally, but said it was taking immediate action to fix the situation.
Here are some key dates in the countdown to Brexit: September 3:
Parliament returns from its summer recess Early September:
Labour is expected to trigger a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson's Government
Early/Mid-September:
If Boris Johnson loses the confidence vote, Remainers could try to install a cross-party administration to delay Brexit past October 31 Early/Mid September:
Alternatively if Mr Johnson loses a general election is triggered if no one can form an administration within 14 days. But there are few rules on when he has to hold it Early/Mid September:
Or the Queen could step in and demand Mr Johnson resign, should he try to remain in No 10, sparking a potential constitutional crisis October 31:
Brexit day, when the UK is currently due to leave the EU Early November? A possible post-Brexit General Election
"Britain hit by power cut chaos" is the headline in the Daily Telegraph after an "unprecedented power outage" hit airports, roads and rail networks. Britain came "to a standstill" according to the i newspaper, with one eyewitness quoted as saying "it felt apocalyptic". The Times notes that Chancellor Sajid Javid was at the National Grid hours before the massive power cut and captions its picture: "Don't touch that dial, chancellor".
Preparations for a no-deal Brexit are the main stories for the Times and the Daily Express. The Times reports on the plans for a bailout fund - called Operation Kingfisher - to prop up businesses which run into trouble in the event of the UK leaving without a deal. It says it understands that a secret list has been drawn up of the big British employers considered most at risk. The Express says the prime minister has issued a direct warning to top civil servants in Whitehall that contingency planning for no agreement must be their "top priority". In its editorial, the paper declares that it has had a change of heart and is now in favour of a no-deal Brexit. The Queen and Brexit The Daily Telegraph reports on the constitutional issues of the UK leaving the EU, and says No 10 and the Palace have held talks on how to keep the Queen out of the looming controversy. There has been growing speculation that politicians may try to force the monarch to become involved if Boris Johnson loses a vote of confidence next month. The Telegraph says it has learned from one source that the next stage would be for the government's top civil servant to write formally to party leaders and senior MPs, warning them to keep the Queen out of Brexit.
The Guardian leads on what it calls "a recruitment crisis" for the Army which it says is affecting frontline operations. Using figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the paper says some combat units are as much as 40% below strength - despite growing global threats. The shortage is being put down to low unemployment, an ageing population, the increase in people taking up post-16 education and a lack of high profile conflicts - which tend to boost numbers. According to the paper, the figures have prompted criticism of the company responsible for managing Army recruitment, Capita. But a spokesman said its partnership with the Army was "starting to see excellent results".
Arsenal players' security fears Several papers, including the Daily Mirror, report that the Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will miss the club's first game of the season on Sunday after receiving what it calls "gang threats". Both players are said to be seriously concerned for the safety of their families. The Mirror links it to an attempted car-jacking two weeks ago - when Kolasinac fought off a man with a knife. The Times says there have been further "security incidents" since then, and describes the decision not to travel to the game, as "unprecedented in English football".
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail is among those to cover a new study which suggests the link between obesity and cancer is far more serious than previously thought. It says a major study of 700,000 people by the World Health Organisation and Bristol University found evidence that with every increase of BMI by five points, the risk of some cancers also increased. The Daily Express adds that would make obesity the second biggest cause of cancer, behind tobacco. The Sun's front page story is an investigation launched by Birds Eye after a disgruntled worker apparently filmed himself appearing to urinate on a production line of peas. The paper says deliveries of the frozen vegetable from the plant in Hull have been suspended, and millions of packets may have to be destroyed. Bosses tell the paper they're carrying out tests - but the eight second phone clip may have been faked using a hose pipe, the Sun adds. The paper calls it a "Jimmy Riddle Riddle".
Prince Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein are highlighted on the front pages of both the Mail on Sunday and the Sunday Express - after Epstein was found dead in his cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. The Mail says the Duke of York may be dragged deeper into the scandal - after sources said an FBI inquiry would now switch to Epstein's associates. The Observer says victims of the disgraced financier's alleged sex trafficking operation have voiced frustration that his apparent suicide would prevent him from facing justice.
The Sunday Telegraph is supportive of Boris Johnson's crackdown on violent crime but thinks the tough stance is "long overdue". In its editorial, the paper urges the government to "bite the bullet" and invest in greater prison capacity - arguing that the strategy "worked in the nineties". "When more people went to jail", it says, "the crime rate fell". The paper goes on to insist it is "about time" to review the practice of automatically releasing people convicted of serious offences after they have served half their sentence - and calls for sentencing to be "tough, clear and honest, to ensure justice is truly done".
Mr Johnson's attempt to reclaim the Conservatives' reputation as the party of law and order is welcomed by the Mail on Sunday - but the paper has concerns. "We've heard tough on crime before", it says, adding: "This has got to be different". According to the Mail, the current system "is an utter flop" because police react to crime after it has happened, rather than patrol preventively to deter it from taking place at all. It says Mr Johnson is "absolutely right" to make tackling the issue a priority - but warns that action without serious thought and research "will not bring long-term results". Queen 'frustrated' at political leadership The Sunday Times claims the Queen has privately expressed her disappointment in the current political class and its inability to govern. A senior royal source - alleged to have heard the Queen make the remarks shortly after David Cameron resigned as prime minister - is quoted as saying: "She expressed her exasperation about the quality of our political leadership, and that frustration will only have grown". The paper describes the comments as "among the starkest political statements the Queen is known to have made" - and says they have emerged as MPs threaten to drag her into the Brexit crisis. Meanwhile, Gordon Brown has made "his most dire warning" about the impact of a no-deal Brexit, according to the Observer, arguing it spells disaster for the union. Writing in the paper, the former prime minister claims the very idea of a United Kingdom is being torn apart by toxic nationalism, aided by a government driven by a "destructive, populist ideology". Unionism, he says, "appears to be sleepwalking into oblivion".
Mr Brown concludes his article with a plea for the UK to rediscover the age-old virtues of empathy, solidarity across borders and reciprocity between nations - warning that "these precious ideals" could not survive what he calls the "divisiveness and chaos" of a no-deal Brexit. The Sunday People claims 60 Labour MPs are ready to support a national unity government to stop a no-deal Brexit - even if it is led by a Conservative prime minister. According to the paper, a rebel alliance - organised by former Chancellor Philip Hammond - is hoping to bring Mr Johnson down and install a caretaker government. Those suggested as an interim prime minister include Sir Oliver Letwin and Ken Clarke from the Tories, and Labour's Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper. A shadow minister has told the Sunday Mirror that the plan is unlikely to succeed as it would need the support of the SNP - "and they are unlikely to do anything to prop up any British government"
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mr Johnson's estranged wife has told the Sunday Times she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in May - but now considers herself "free" of the disease following two operations. Writing in the paper, Marina Wheeler describes the past few months as a "profound experience" that underlined "the incalculable value of holding close those who you love and trust". She had no symptoms but was diagnosed after she was late for a smear test - and says she has decided to reveal her treatment to encourage more women to receive cervical screening. "Something else always seemed more important", she writes. Power blackout questions The Sun on Sunday is furious about Friday's massive power cut which affected nearly a million people in England and Wales, and caused chaos on the rail network. According to the paper, the incident raises "serious questions" about how one of the world's major economies was brought to its knees - and it calls for answers from what it describes as the "fat cat boss" of the National Grid, who received a salary package worth more than £4.6m last year. MPs have told the Sun that John Pettigrew is being rewarded for failure and have demanded that he is back at his desk tomorrow morning, after it emerged that he is on a foreign holiday, making him "unavailable for questions". Finally, the Sunday Telegraph reports that plans are being drawn up by the chancellor to mint millions of 50p pieces to mark Britain's withdrawal from the EU.
Sajid Javid is said to have asked officials to consider whether "huge volumes" of the coins can be produced in time for the scheduled Brexit date of October 31. The paper says the decision will be seen as a statement of intent that the Treasury is fully behind Brexit, now that the Remain-supporting former Chancellor Mr Hammond, has returned to the backbenches. 'Royal Hair Force' Finally, the Royal Air Force "may soon boast trendy hipsters among its ranks", according to the Mail, after airmen persuaded military chiefs to let them grow beards. Until now, RAF personnel were only permitted to grow facial hair on religious grounds, or when specially authorised for medical reasons. The Mail notes that "handlebar moustaches, lovingly waxed and twirled, were once synonymous with pilots" but says a recent RAF survey revealed that being forced to shave was a major factor in many airmen quitting their military careers. With the headline, "the Hair Force", the Sun on Sunday quotes an RAF insider as saying: "We won't be having unkempt or wacky designs. Standards are not slipping".
Many of the papers, both tabloid and broadsheet, feature pictures of the Queen arriving for a church service at Balmoral yesterday alongside Prince Andrew. "Royals rally round" is the Sun's caption. "Andrew allegations back in the spotlight" is the i's view on what most papers reports as a show of unity, following the death in prison of Prince Andrew's friend, the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke of York had been named in court documents relating to Epstein's trafficking of girls. He has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and a US judge had dismissed claims of his involvement, but there is speculation that Epstein's death and its subsequent investigation is bound to lead to further scrutiny of their association. Meanwhile, "Tech giants to be fined millions for toxic videos" is the headline on the front page of the Telegraph. It says Instagram, Facebook and YouTube could all face fines of up to 5% of their revenue if they fail to protect children from "harmful" content when the government gives the watchdog Ofcom new powers. But also, crucially, their services in the UK could be suspended or restricted if they fail to comply with enforcement measures
Law and order The Times leads on a pledge from Boris Johnson that "criminals must get the sentences they deserve". The paper suggests a package of criminal justice policies being rolled out this week - including a review into the sentencing of violent and sexual offenders - reflects the prime minister's desire to "rebuild the reputation" of the Conservatives as the party of law and order, ahead of a possible general election. It reports that prison reform groups have questioned the motivation behind the new drive to get tough on criminals, accusing Mr Johnson of "stoking up public anxiety"
There is good news for Mr Johnson in the Sun, which declares that a poll of its readers has indicated a "massive Boris Bounce" effect for the Conservative party. The paper says that the new prime minister has wrestled back support from the Brexit Party, and more than 30% of the 850 readers surveyed now say they will vote Tory in any forthcoming election -compared with just 13 per cent in June. The Guardian's front page story reports hundreds of people deported from the UK were restrained using methods such as shackles and belts. The paper says that a Freedom of Information Act request showed restraints were used 447 times between April 2018 and March 2019 despite there being a presumption against the use of restraint. Home Office officials say a full review of the department's manual on "safe escorting" is under way, but the Labour MP David Lammy tells the paper the data was a "chilling" abuse of power.
Survey of GPs Meanwhile, concerns about continuing pressure on GP services also makes some front pages. "Scandal over 15-day wait for GP" is the headline in the Express as it reports that an annual poll of GPs has shown that that just one in five patients were able to get an appointment within a week and that the wait for a routine appointment had reached more than two weeks, for the first time ever. The Patients Association told the paper that difficulties accessing primary care had "reached crisis levels for some patients" while the chair of the BMA's GP committee, Dr Richard Vautrey, says the figures highlight the "reality of the capacity issues" facing GP practices.
Pound live: Sterling plunges to 10-year low against euro on no-deal Brexit fears
The pound rose on Monday after plunging to a 10-year low against euro overnight on the back of increasing fears that the country will leave the EU without a deal.
Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds are all smiles as they are pictured together inside Number 10 on the front of the Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail. A Downing Street reception for hospice staff was the couple's first official engagement since Mr Johnson became prime minister last month.
However, it's the warm words of President's Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, on future trade arrangements with the UK that is the focus for the Times. "US promises fast-track trade deals after Brexit" is the headline, but the paper points out that experts are sceptical about whether achieving such "mini-deals" is really politically palatable in the US. The leader column suggests the government faces "momentous choices" on its post-Brexit foreign policy as it faces pressure to align more closely with the US. It warns that there isn't long to decide, as President Trump will look for answers at the G7 summit in Biarritz, later this month.
Several papers devote their front pages to a call from MPs for hands-free car kits to be banned. The Daily Mail reports that as well as banning Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones, MPs want to increase punishments for drivers who use mobiles on the move. "Hands-free car phone crackdown planned" is the headline in the "i". The Times reports that the number of deaths or serious injuries in which mobile use was a factor has risen by more than four-fifths - from 97 in 2011, to 178 in 2017.
The Guardian's front page claims it can exclusively reveal a "series of blackout near misses" at National Grid, which happened in the run-up to last week's power outages. The paper says industry sources have disclosed that National Grid experienced three such events in as many months ahead of last Friday's shutdown, which caused huge disruption to homes and transport systems. There is widespread coverage of the pro-democracy protests which have brought Hong Kong's airport to a standstill. The Telegraph reports that police have made more than 600 arrests in recent days, highlighting an escalation in tensions with the authorities. It notes that Beijing has introduced the word "terrorism" into descriptions of the demonstrations for the first time. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Free Press reports that police top brass faced "a barrage of questions" about injuries, and officers' use of weapons, and undercover tactics at a media briefing on Monday.
"Now Snowflakes Ban Burgers" is the outraged headline in the Daily Mail. The cause of its ire - a decision by Goldsmiths University to ban beef from the canteen as part of a drive to become a carbon neutral campus. The Daily Express reports that Goldsmiths produces around 3.7 million kilograms of carbon emissions each year. It carries the view of university warden Professor Frances Corner that "declaring a climate emergency cannot be empty words". It also highlights the counterclaim from the National Farmers' Union that singling out one food product in a bid to help the planet is "simplistic". And an end to the antipathy between one of America's literary greats and technology makes several papers. "Salinger goes digital" declares the Telegraph, as it reports that the son of Catcher in the Rye author JD Salinger has finally given approval to turn his father's works into e-books. The Guardian reports that Matt Salinger had respected his father's preference for a tactile book experience for years - but that he had changed his mind after receiving a letter from a woman with a disability. He says of his father: "Would he prefer and encourage readers to stick with printed books? Absolutely, but not if it means some not being able to read him at all."
The Financial Times devotes its leader column to issue a plea to Parliament to "save the UK from the folly of a no-deal Brexit". It says the House of Commons must avoid succumbing to what it calls the boredom and resignation seeping into the business and financial community and broader population: that it's time to get Brexit done, whatever the consequences. The politics.co.uk website says a sustained information war is being fought to convince critics that it's too late for MPs to stop no deal, but it's false - they can still stop it. The Daily Mail accepts that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the country is undoubtedly in for a "period of chaotic uncertainty". But, it adds, we will not be crushed by it, as some love to suggest.
The jobs figures published on Tuesday make the Daily Mail's lead. It says that despite "project fear predictions" of huge job losses, the number of Britons in employment has soared by more than a million since the Brexit vote - and a record 15.55 million women are in work. It says nearly 1,000 adults a day have joined the workforce in the past three years.
Commuters will be particularly interested in the inflation figure for July, published on Wednesday, because it dictates the maximum rise to regulated train fares that come into effect in the New Year. According to the Guardian's lead story, passengers could be facing an increase of 2.9%. It says campaigners have warned ministers that ever-higher train fares risk driving passengers off the railways. There's widespread coverage of a study which suggests that teenagers who check their social media accounts several times a day are increasing the risk of damaging their mental health by around 40%, compared with logging on weekly. The report by University College London and Imperial College London is the lead for the Sun - which says the smartphone revolution is one giant experiment and today's children are the guinea pigs
There are dramatic pictures of the clashes between police and protestors at Hong Kong international airport on Tuesday. The Times reports that at one point, a police officer drew his gun and pointed it at his assailants after he was cornered and beaten. They backed off and he was rescued by colleagues. Had he fired - the Telegraph says - the consequences for Hong Kong and its young army of activists could have been dire. It was, the paper adds, the moment Hong Kong held its breath.
Jeremy Corbyn's plan for stopping a no-deal Brexit dominates many of the front pages. The Guardian says the Labour leader's letter "throws down the gauntlet" to opposition leaders and Tory rebels, urging them to come together to push Boris Johnson out. The paper says it's clear from Mr Corbyn's proposal that Labour's frontbench think he's the only MP who could lead a caretaker government - instead of a backbench candidate such as the veteran Conservative, Ken Clarke, or Labour's Yvette Cooper. For the Independent, it's a "dramatic bid" to secure a Commons alliance that's designed to break the deadlock and stop the UK crashing out of the EU. "Corbyn's No 10 coup" is the headline in the Daily Mail. The paper pours scorn on the plan - describing it as "the act of a desperate man".
"Fraud victims failed by police" is the main headline in the Times. An undercover investigation by the paper into the police telephone hotline "Action Fraud" reveals staff routinely mislead callers into thinking their cases will be investigated - and mock victims as "morons". The national service is overseen by City of London Police, but the day-to-day running of the call-centre was outsourced to a private American company four years ago. A Times reporter, employed at its office near Glasgow, reports call handlers are given just two weeks of training, and regularly take calls from victims while scrolling through their mobiles and even napping. In a statement, the company said it had begun an investigation and four members of staff had been suspended.
There's extensive reaction to Jeremy Corbyn's plan to form a government of national unity to avoid a no-deal Brexit in Friday morning's papers. The Guardian clearly sets out its stall, using its editorial to state that "it is the duty of all MPs who oppose no deal to work together". Rafael Behr uses his column to highlight his belief that some politicians' opposition to the plan shows that they fear the Labour leader more than a "disorderly" exit from the EU. Writing in the i, Stephen Bush says Mr Corbyn's plan comes from "cloud cuckoo land", pointing out that the plan is "so far-fetched, it would be less ridiculous to crowdfund the invention of time travel and head back to 2016 with ballot boxes full of Remain votes". A Paul Thomas cartoon in the Daily Mail takes a satirical look at the story, showing an A-level student saying: "I got a D in politics! Now I hope to form a government of national unity." The Times carries a story claiming that British banks have expressed concerns to ministers that they would only have around fours hours to switch all of their systems in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The article quotes industry sources expressing concerns about the short timeframe, with the paper saying the disruption could potentially create chaos in the financial system.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the wind farm that went off-grid during last week's nationwide power cut was given nearly £100,000 to reduce its supply the following day. The National Grid says the decision to ask Hornsea wind farm to cut its power supply was not related to the role it played in causing the blackout. But the article quotes an energy expert, saying it was a "striking coincidence", especially considering the wind farm had never been asked to reduce it's supply levels before
The Sun is one of a number of publications containing a warning that a host of popular traditional sweets could be about to be consigned to history. They use the headline "Get Your Dib-Dabs Off Our Sweets" to illustrate the Institute of Economic Affairs' warning that new guidelines from Public Health England will make it impossible for products like Liquorice Allsorts, Parma Violets, boiled sweets and fudge to continue to be sold. And it appears that Donald Trump could be eyeing his biggest real estate deal to date - buying Greenland. The Wall Street Journal reports that the president has asked advisers and legal experts to look into whether the US could purchase the territory from Denmark, and held numerous discussions about its abundant resources and geopolitical importance. Buzzfeed claims that White House officials are apparently split on whether the idea is genuine or just a passing interest for the president.
The Daily Express says the death of Constable Andrew Harper will confirm in many people's minds that crime is out of control. It calls for the murder to represent a turning point - the moment Britain refuses to tolerate the cruelty that is commonplace in towns and cities. In the Sun's view, the onus now falls on the prime minister and home secretary. "No more talking", it says: "It's time for criminals to know things have changed". The Telegraph agrees, and says "criminals must learn to fear the police."
The main story for the Daily Telegraph is Ken Clarke's declaration that he's willing to lead an emergency government to prevent a no-deal Brexit. It reports some Lib Dem opposition to Mr Clarke's suggestion that he would try to renegotiate the deal with the EU rather than call a second referendum. Meanwhile, citing splits among MPs, the Guardian reports that hopes are fading for an alliance against no-deal. It says the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has written to the Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, arguing that her plan to install a Tory or Labour grandee at the helm of a unity government is not viable. The Times says Boris Johnson's chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, has asked Whitehall departments to submit a list of achievements to Downing Street to ensure the Conservatives are on an election footing. He is said to have asked government special advisers to imagine that, in eight weeks, Britain has left the EU and the Tories go on to "smash" Labour at the polls.
The Times casts a critical eye over a proposal to shift the burden of stamp duty on to property sellers, which the Chancellor, Sajid Javid, doesn't rule out in his interview with the paper. It says the change would be a more radical and progressive move than simply lowering the top rate on the most expensive homes, which Boris Johnson proposed during the Tory leadership election. But The Times says it would deter homeowners from downsizing. The Financial Times believes pressure from the Chinese government claimed the scalp of the Cathay Pacific chief executive, Rupert Hogg, who resigned from the Hong Kong airline yesterday. The FT points out that the change was, unusually, announced by Chinese state-run media, rather than the company, followed an accusation from Beijing that Cathay was undermining safety by allowing staff to join anti-government protests. According to the Sun, Greggs the baker has halved the size of its custard slices to encourage customers to eat less sugar. The change hasn't been universally welcomed, with complaints about the taste and the price, which remains at one pound. The company says it is supporting the Public Health England sugar reduction programme. But one fan of custard slices tells the Sun that "a national favourite has been completely ruined"
Comments
Two of the front page headlines starkly illustrate the entrenched positions in the Brexit impasse.
The Daily Express has the headline: "Boris tells EU: you MUST back down" while the i has: "EU open to new deal - if PM drops red lines". Who is bluffing: Boris Johnson or the EU? the Spectator asks.
The Telegraph says the intervention by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister in charge of no-deal planning - accusing the EU of refusing to engage in fresh talks - marks an escalation in the war of words between Westminster and Brussels.
The Daily Mail says Mr Gove's language suggests the government is ready to blame intransigence from Brussels if a compromise does not materialise and Britain leaves without a deal.
The Guardian urges the two sides to try to move on from their squabbling about whether they can even talk - because the consequences of not talking will be serious.
The shadow chancellor's declaration that Labour would not block a second referendum on Scottish independence makes the lead for the Times.
It describes John McDonnell's stance as a significant shift of policy. The paper says the Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has opened the door to a "progressive alliance" with Labour if the two parties are able to form a majority after a general election.
The story is reported in a number of other papers too - with the Mail running the headline: "Labour gets into bed with SNP".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49259093
Nicola Sturgeon warned the economy will be "seriously damaged" if Britain crashed out the EU without a deal
Scottish voters would vote for independence and want another say on the country remaining in the EU - a bombshell poll has revealed.
The poll showed 52% of Scots would back the country becoming independent, with 48% backing it remaining in the UK, an eerie echo of the European referendum in 2016.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/fears-future-uk-grow-poll-18833930
Many people are really fed up with Brexit, but there is no end in sight.
Whether we leave with or without a deal, negotiations are likely to continue for years to come.
Mark Francois has claimed that 60 ERG members would vote against the Withdrawal Agreement, even if the backstop was removed. This would surely make getting a deal impossible.
The backstop is a puzzle.
The backstop is an insurance policy, which would only come into play if we have failed to reach an agreement on a trade deal.
So we were to leave, move into a 21 month implementation period where nothing changed, to provide certainty for business.
That would have given us 21months in which to reach a trade deal.
If no deal had been reached, the backstop would come into play until such time as we did.
The original backstop agreed was to only include Northern Ireland, but the DUP kicked off about NI being treated differently to the rest of the UK.
The backstop was then amended to include the whole of the UK.
Some MPs have stupidly argued that it should be time limited.
Whereas if it was time limited, it wouldn't be a backstop.
The backstop was a concession from the EU, our side wanted it.
It was only meant to last until we reached a deal.
If we could have reached a deal in the 21 months, it would never have come into play.
If the backstop was time limited to say 5 years, and we hadn't reached a deal in that time, what would happen then?
The EU has agreed that the backstop could be replaced by technological solutions, as and when they become available.
They are not yet available.
There is not a border in the world that exists between two different customs territories that has no checks.
Trading under WTO rules mean having a border.
I don't understand the plan.
If the EU agreed to remove the backstop, what would it be replaced with?
If we are outside the Single Market, and Customs Union, what happens to the border in the long term?
How is it possible to avoid a hard border in Ireland, and not treat NI differently from the rest of the UK?
Why would we want to encourage smuggling?
Why would only wish to take back control of some of our borders?
How can Boris use the stronger together argument, when questioned about possible Scottish independence, but the opposite when referring to the EU?
The Northern Ireland Secretary said World Trade Organisation rules are ‘very clear’.
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has made clear a no-deal Brexit will deliver customs and regulatory checks on the island of Ireland.
She stressed that, while the UK Government is committed to working to avoid a hard border, World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules are “very clear” and checks would need to be carried out on consignments passing between two customs territories on a contemporaneous basis.
https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2018/11/19/bradley-warns-no-deal-brexit-will-mean-wto-customs-checks-in-ireland/
The front pages tell of travel chaos for UK holidaymakers affected by airline strikes and IT "meltdowns".
With the headline "Wish You Weren't Here" alongside a picture of a packed terminal at Gatwick Airport - the Daily Mail says it is a "summer of ****" for travellers.
The Mail has spoken to a family who spent £900 re-booking onto a new flight only to find they were not listed as passengers - and the Guardian to a pair of teenagers trying to get home to Glasgow, without any cash.
Elsewhere, the Guardian reports that a cross-party group of MPs is considering plans to force Parliament to sit through the autumn recess, to stop Boris Johnson pursuing a no-deal Brexit.
This would give MPs an extra three weeks, according to the paper, to pass a bill requiring the government to request an extension of Article 50.
The rebels are said to be alarmed about the growing power and influence of Mr Johnson's adviser, the former Vote Leave strategist Dominic Cummings.
A Conservative insider describes Mr Cummings as running a "reign of terror" at No 10 - after demanding total control of operations as his price for entering government
The Daily Telegraph says the shadow chancellor John McDonnell has threatened to drag the Queen into a constitutional crisis.
Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, Mr McDonnell reportedly said if Boris Johnson refused to quit after losing a confidence vote - he would send Jeremy Corbyn to Buckingham Palace in a taxi, to inform the Queen that Labour was taking over.
The historian David Starkey tells the Telegraph that if that happened, Mr Corbyn would be arrested.
The Daily Express believes Mr McDonnell's remarks are a "dire warning" to Conservative remainer MPs who think that bringing down the government is better than allowing Brexit to happen.
The Times leads on official statistics showing a million more young adults are living with their parents than 15 years ago.
The paper says the rise is being blamed on high rents and house prices, and will increase pressure on the government to build more affordable first homes.
Other papers focus on the record numbers of older people living alone.
The Telegraph puts the rise down to so-called "silver splitters" - divorcees over the age of 55. For campaigners in the Daily Express, the figure is a call to arms to fight the misery of loneliness.
The Daily Mirror leads on an investigation into a trophy-hunting firm run by a British former gamekeeper who - the paper says - organises trips for the rich to kill defenceless animals.
The paper's front page shows a client armed with a rifle, posing over a dead antelope. The Mirror reports that the company - called ProStalk - offers animals to kill from a list of 66 species, including £6,500 for a hippo, and just £47 for a monkey.
The paper's editorial calls for trophy hunting to be banned immediately. ProStalk tells the Mirror its hunting trips play a pivotal role in conservation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49272946
Several papers focus on Jeremy Corbyn's attempt to get Britain's most senior civil servant to rule out the possibility of Boris Johnson forcing a no-deal Brexit in the middle of an election campaign.
The Independent website says there are mounting fears that Downing Street will try to deliver Brexit by 31 October "by any means necessary" - even if Mr Johnson's government has lost a vote of no confidence.
The article adds that the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox, is understood to believe there is no legal basis to prevent such a departure from the EU, even if there is a general election at that point.
The Brexiteer MP Peter Bone tells the Daily Express that Labour is "clutching at straws".
Writing for the Spectator, James Forsyth is convinced we're heading for a 1 November election. He argues Mr Johnson's camp is willing to "push the constitutional boundaries" so the prime minister would not resign if he lost a no confidence vote in September.
Instead, he would have two weeks to try to put together a parliamentary majority - and if that failed, he would be able to call an election after Britain's official exit date. Mr Forsyth believes Mr Johnson has been preparing for an election from the moment he arrived in Downing Street.
The issue of knife violence gets plenty of coverage after a police officer making a routine check was wounded in east London - but still ensured the suspect was arrested.
The Sun's front page calls him "Britain's toughest cop". The Times reports that attacks on officers rose by 18% to more than 30,000 in the year to March.
One senior officer tells the paper criminals no longer fear the police. The Daily Mirror has pictures of young campaigners who have all been affected by violence. The paper urges Mr Johnson to read their 12-point plan to make our streets safer.
The Guardian reports hundreds of Chinese schoolchildren have been illegally drafted in to meet production targets for Amazon's Alexa devices.
The paper says it has seen documents alleging many of the children have been forced to work nights and overtime - in breach of China's labour laws.
The workers are mainly teenagers from schools and technical colleges. Amazon's supplier, Foxconn, admitted students had been employed illegally, but said it was taking immediate action to fix the situation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49287459
Countdown to Brexit
Here are some key dates in the countdown to Brexit:
September 3:
Parliament returns from its summer recess
Early September:
Labour is expected to trigger a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson's Government
Early/Mid-September:
If Boris Johnson loses the confidence vote, Remainers could try to install a cross-party administration to delay Brexit past October 31
Early/Mid September:
Alternatively if Mr Johnson loses a general election is triggered if no one can form an administration within 14 days. But there are few rules on when he has to hold it
Early/Mid September:
Or the Queen could step in and demand Mr Johnson resign, should he try to remain in No 10, sparking a potential constitutional crisis
October 31:
Brexit day, when the UK is currently due to leave the EU
Early November? A possible post-Brexit General Election
"Britain hit by power cut chaos" is the headline in the Daily Telegraph after an "unprecedented power outage" hit airports, roads and rail networks.
Britain came "to a standstill" according to the i newspaper, with one eyewitness quoted as saying "it felt apocalyptic".
The Times notes that Chancellor Sajid Javid was at the National Grid hours before the massive power cut and captions its picture: "Don't touch that dial, chancellor".
Preparations for a no-deal Brexit are the main stories for the Times and the Daily Express.
The Times reports on the plans for a bailout fund - called Operation Kingfisher - to prop up businesses which run into trouble in the event of the UK leaving without a deal.
It says it understands that a secret list has been drawn up of the big British employers considered most at risk.
The Express says the prime minister has issued a direct warning to top civil servants in Whitehall that contingency planning for no agreement must be their "top priority".
In its editorial, the paper declares that it has had a change of heart and is now in favour of a no-deal Brexit.
The Queen and Brexit
The Daily Telegraph reports on the constitutional issues of the UK leaving the EU, and says No 10 and the Palace have held talks on how to keep the Queen out of the looming controversy.
There has been growing speculation that politicians may try to force the monarch to become involved if Boris Johnson loses a vote of confidence next month.
The Telegraph says it has learned from one source that the next stage would be for the government's top civil servant to write formally to party leaders and senior MPs, warning them to keep the Queen out of Brexit.
The Guardian leads on what it calls "a recruitment crisis" for the Army which it says is affecting frontline operations.
Using figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the paper says some combat units are as much as 40% below strength - despite growing global threats.
The shortage is being put down to low unemployment, an ageing population, the increase in people taking up post-16 education and a lack of high profile conflicts - which tend to boost numbers.
According to the paper, the figures have prompted criticism of the company responsible for managing Army recruitment, Capita. But a spokesman said its partnership with the Army was "starting to see excellent results".
Arsenal players' security fears
Several papers, including the Daily Mirror, report that the Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will miss the club's first game of the season on Sunday after receiving what it calls "gang threats".
Both players are said to be seriously concerned for the safety of their families.
The Mirror links it to an attempted car-jacking two weeks ago - when Kolasinac fought off a man with a knife.
The Times says there have been further "security incidents" since then, and describes the decision not to travel to the game, as "unprecedented in English football".
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail is among those to cover a new study which suggests the link between obesity and cancer is far more serious than previously thought.
It says a major study of 700,000 people by the World Health Organisation and Bristol University found evidence that with every increase of BMI by five points, the risk of some cancers also increased.
The Daily Express adds that would make obesity the second biggest cause of cancer, behind tobacco.
The Sun's front page story is an investigation launched by Birds Eye after a disgruntled worker apparently filmed himself appearing to urinate on a production line of peas.
The paper says deliveries of the frozen vegetable from the plant in Hull have been suspended, and millions of packets may have to be destroyed.
Bosses tell the paper they're carrying out tests - but the eight second phone clip may have been faked using a hose pipe, the Sun adds. The paper calls it a "Jimmy Riddle Riddle".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49301360
Prince Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein are highlighted on the front pages of both the Mail on Sunday and the Sunday Express - after Epstein was found dead in his cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
The Mail says the Duke of York may be dragged deeper into the scandal - after sources said an FBI inquiry would now switch to Epstein's associates.
The Observer says victims of the disgraced financier's alleged sex trafficking operation have voiced frustration that his apparent suicide would prevent him from facing justice.
The Sunday Telegraph is supportive of Boris Johnson's crackdown on violent crime but thinks the tough stance is "long overdue".
In its editorial, the paper urges the government to "bite the bullet" and invest in greater prison capacity - arguing that the strategy "worked in the nineties".
"When more people went to jail", it says, "the crime rate fell".
The paper goes on to insist it is "about time" to review the practice of automatically releasing people convicted of serious offences after they have served half their sentence - and calls for sentencing to be "tough, clear and honest, to ensure justice is truly done".
Mr Johnson's attempt to reclaim the Conservatives' reputation as the party of law and order is welcomed by the Mail on Sunday - but the paper has concerns.
"We've heard tough on crime before", it says, adding: "This has got to be different".
According to the Mail, the current system "is an utter flop" because police react to crime after it has happened, rather than patrol preventively to deter it from taking place at all.
It says Mr Johnson is "absolutely right" to make tackling the issue a priority - but warns that action without serious thought and research "will not bring long-term results".
Queen 'frustrated' at political leadership
The Sunday Times claims the Queen has privately expressed her disappointment in the current political class and its inability to govern.
A senior royal source - alleged to have heard the Queen make the remarks shortly after David Cameron resigned as prime minister - is quoted as saying: "She expressed her exasperation about the quality of our political leadership, and that frustration will only have grown".
The paper describes the comments as "among the starkest political statements the Queen is known to have made" - and says they have emerged as MPs threaten to drag her into the Brexit crisis.
Meanwhile, Gordon Brown has made "his most dire warning" about the impact of a no-deal Brexit, according to the Observer, arguing it spells disaster for the union.
Writing in the paper, the former prime minister claims the very idea of a United Kingdom is being torn apart by toxic nationalism, aided by a government driven by a "destructive, populist ideology".
Unionism, he says, "appears to be sleepwalking into oblivion".
Mr Brown concludes his article with a plea for the UK to rediscover the age-old virtues of empathy, solidarity across borders and reciprocity between nations - warning that "these precious ideals" could not survive what he calls the "divisiveness and chaos" of a no-deal Brexit.
The Sunday People claims 60 Labour MPs are ready to support a national unity government to stop a no-deal Brexit - even if it is led by a Conservative prime minister.
According to the paper, a rebel alliance - organised by former Chancellor Philip Hammond - is hoping to bring Mr Johnson down and install a caretaker government.
Those suggested as an interim prime minister include Sir Oliver Letwin and Ken Clarke from the Tories, and Labour's Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper.
A shadow minister has told the Sunday Mirror that the plan is unlikely to succeed as it would need the support of the SNP - "and they are unlikely to do anything to prop up any British government"
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mr Johnson's estranged wife has told the Sunday Times she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in May - but now considers herself "free" of the disease following two operations.
Writing in the paper, Marina Wheeler describes the past few months as a "profound experience" that underlined "the incalculable value of holding close those who you love and trust".
She had no symptoms but was diagnosed after she was late for a smear test - and says she has decided to reveal her treatment to encourage more women to receive cervical screening.
"Something else always seemed more important", she writes.
Power blackout questions
The Sun on Sunday is furious about Friday's massive power cut which affected nearly a million people in England and Wales, and caused chaos on the rail network.
According to the paper, the incident raises "serious questions" about how one of the world's major economies was brought to its knees - and it calls for answers from what it describes as the "fat cat boss" of the National Grid, who received a salary package worth more than £4.6m last year.
MPs have told the Sun that John Pettigrew is being rewarded for failure and have demanded that he is back at his desk tomorrow morning, after it emerged that he is on a foreign holiday, making him "unavailable for questions".
Finally, the Sunday Telegraph reports that plans are being drawn up by the chancellor to mint millions of 50p pieces to mark Britain's withdrawal from the EU.
Sajid Javid is said to have asked officials to consider whether "huge volumes" of the coins can be produced in time for the scheduled Brexit date of October 31.
The paper says the decision will be seen as a statement of intent that the Treasury is fully behind Brexit, now that the Remain-supporting former Chancellor Mr Hammond, has returned to the backbenches.
'Royal Hair Force'
Finally, the Royal Air Force "may soon boast trendy hipsters among its ranks", according to the Mail, after airmen persuaded military chiefs to let them grow beards.
Until now, RAF personnel were only permitted to grow facial hair on religious grounds, or when specially authorised for medical reasons.
The Mail notes that "handlebar moustaches, lovingly waxed and twirled, were once synonymous with pilots" but says a recent RAF survey revealed that being forced to shave was a major factor in many airmen quitting their military careers.
With the headline, "the Hair Force", the Sun on Sunday quotes an RAF insider as saying: "We won't be having unkempt or wacky designs. Standards are not slipping".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49309096
Many of the papers, both tabloid and broadsheet, feature pictures of the Queen arriving for a church service at Balmoral yesterday alongside Prince Andrew.
"Royals rally round" is the Sun's caption.
"Andrew allegations back in the spotlight" is the i's view on what most papers reports as a show of unity, following the death in prison of Prince Andrew's friend, the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York had been named in court documents relating to Epstein's trafficking of girls.
He has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and a US judge had dismissed claims of his involvement, but there is speculation that Epstein's death and its subsequent investigation is bound to lead to further scrutiny of their association.
Meanwhile, "Tech giants to be fined millions for toxic videos" is the headline on the front page of the Telegraph.
It says Instagram, Facebook and YouTube could all face fines of up to 5% of their revenue if they fail to protect children from "harmful" content when the government gives the watchdog Ofcom new powers.
But also, crucially, their services in the UK could be suspended or restricted if they fail to comply with enforcement measures
Law and order
The Times leads on a pledge from Boris Johnson that "criminals must get the sentences they deserve".
The paper suggests a package of criminal justice policies being rolled out this week - including a review into the sentencing of violent and sexual offenders - reflects the prime minister's desire to "rebuild the reputation" of the Conservatives as the party of law and order, ahead of a possible general election.
It reports that prison reform groups have questioned the motivation behind the new drive to get tough on criminals, accusing Mr Johnson of "stoking up public anxiety"
There is good news for Mr Johnson in the Sun, which declares that a poll of its readers has indicated a "massive Boris Bounce" effect for the Conservative party.
The paper says that the new prime minister has wrestled back support from the Brexit Party, and more than 30% of the 850 readers surveyed now say they will vote Tory in any forthcoming election -compared with just 13 per cent in June.
The Guardian's front page story reports hundreds of people deported from the UK were restrained using methods such as shackles and belts.
The paper says that a Freedom of Information Act request showed restraints were used 447 times between April 2018 and March 2019 despite there being a presumption against the use of restraint.
Home Office officials say a full review of the department's manual on "safe escorting" is under way, but the Labour MP David Lammy tells the paper the data was a "chilling" abuse of power.
Survey of GPs
Meanwhile, concerns about continuing pressure on GP services also makes some front pages.
"Scandal over 15-day wait for GP" is the headline in the Express as it reports that an annual poll of GPs has shown that that just one in five patients were able to get an appointment within a week and that the wait for a routine appointment had reached more than two weeks, for the first time ever.
The Patients Association told the paper that difficulties accessing primary care had "reached crisis levels for some patients" while the chair of the BMA's GP committee, Dr Richard Vautrey, says the figures highlight the "reality of the capacity issues" facing GP practices.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49314826
The pound rose on Monday after plunging to a 10-year low against euro overnight on the back of increasing fears that the country will leave the EU without a deal.
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/pound-live-sterling-plunges-10-092754393.html
Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds are all smiles as they are pictured together inside Number 10 on the front of the Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail.
A Downing Street reception for hospice staff was the couple's first official engagement since Mr Johnson became prime minister last month.
However, it's the warm words of President's Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, on future trade arrangements with the UK that is the focus for the Times.
"US promises fast-track trade deals after Brexit" is the headline, but the paper points out that experts are sceptical about whether achieving such "mini-deals" is really politically palatable in the US.
The leader column suggests the government faces "momentous choices" on its post-Brexit foreign policy as it faces pressure to align more closely with the US.
It warns that there isn't long to decide, as President Trump will look for answers at the G7 summit in Biarritz, later this month.
Several papers devote their front pages to a call from MPs for hands-free car kits to be banned.
The Daily Mail reports that as well as banning Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones, MPs want to increase punishments for drivers who use mobiles on the move.
"Hands-free car phone crackdown planned" is the headline in the "i". The Times reports that the number of deaths or serious injuries in which mobile use was a factor has risen by more than four-fifths - from 97 in 2011, to 178 in 2017.
The Guardian's front page claims it can exclusively reveal a "series of blackout near misses" at National Grid, which happened in the run-up to last week's power outages.
The paper says industry sources have disclosed that National Grid experienced three such events in as many months ahead of last Friday's shutdown, which caused huge disruption to homes and transport systems.
There is widespread coverage of the pro-democracy protests which have brought Hong Kong's airport to a standstill.
The Telegraph reports that police have made more than 600 arrests in recent days, highlighting an escalation in tensions with the authorities.
It notes that Beijing has introduced the word "terrorism" into descriptions of the demonstrations for the first time.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Free Press reports that police top brass faced "a barrage of questions" about injuries, and officers' use of weapons, and undercover tactics at a media briefing on Monday.
"Now Snowflakes Ban Burgers" is the outraged headline in the Daily Mail. The cause of its ire - a decision by Goldsmiths University to ban beef from the canteen as part of a drive to become a carbon neutral campus.
The Daily Express reports that Goldsmiths produces around 3.7 million kilograms of carbon emissions each year. It carries the view of university warden Professor Frances Corner that "declaring a climate emergency cannot be empty words".
It also highlights the counterclaim from the National Farmers' Union that singling out one food product in a bid to help the planet is "simplistic".
And an end to the antipathy between one of America's literary greats and technology makes several papers. "Salinger goes digital" declares the Telegraph, as it reports that the son of Catcher in the Rye author JD Salinger has finally given approval to turn his father's works into e-books.
The Guardian reports that Matt Salinger had respected his father's preference for a tactile book experience for years - but that he had changed his mind after receiving a letter from a woman with a disability.
He says of his father: "Would he prefer and encourage readers to stick with printed books? Absolutely, but not if it means some not being able to read him at all."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49326214
The Financial Times devotes its leader column to issue a plea to Parliament to "save the UK from the folly of a no-deal Brexit".
It says the House of Commons must avoid succumbing to what it calls the boredom and resignation seeping into the business and financial community and broader population: that it's time to get Brexit done, whatever the consequences.
The politics.co.uk website says a sustained information war is being fought to convince critics that it's too late for MPs to stop no deal, but it's false - they can still stop it.
The Daily Mail accepts that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the country is undoubtedly in for a "period of chaotic uncertainty". But, it adds, we will not be crushed by it, as some love to suggest.
The jobs figures published on Tuesday make the Daily Mail's lead.
It says that despite "project fear predictions" of huge job losses, the number of Britons in employment has soared by more than a million since the Brexit vote - and a record 15.55 million women are in work.
It says nearly 1,000 adults a day have joined the workforce in the past three years.
Commuters will be particularly interested in the inflation figure for July, published on Wednesday, because it dictates the maximum rise to regulated train fares that come into effect in the New Year.
According to the Guardian's lead story, passengers could be facing an increase of 2.9%. It says campaigners have warned ministers that ever-higher train fares risk driving passengers off the railways.
There's widespread coverage of a study which suggests that teenagers who check their social media accounts several times a day are increasing the risk of damaging their mental health by around 40%, compared with logging on weekly.
The report by University College London and Imperial College London is the lead for the Sun - which says the smartphone revolution is one giant experiment and today's children are the guinea pigs
There are dramatic pictures of the clashes between police and protestors at Hong Kong international airport on Tuesday.
The Times reports that at one point, a police officer drew his gun and pointed it at his assailants after he was cornered and beaten.
They backed off and he was rescued by colleagues.
Had he fired - the Telegraph says - the consequences for Hong Kong and its young army of activists could have been dire. It was, the paper adds, the moment Hong Kong held its breath.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49339624
Jeremy Corbyn's plan for stopping a no-deal Brexit dominates many of the front pages. The Guardian says the Labour leader's letter "throws down the gauntlet" to opposition leaders and Tory rebels, urging them to come together to push Boris Johnson out.
The paper says it's clear from Mr Corbyn's proposal that Labour's frontbench think he's the only MP who could lead a caretaker government - instead of a backbench candidate such as the veteran Conservative, Ken Clarke, or Labour's Yvette Cooper.
For the Independent, it's a "dramatic bid" to secure a Commons alliance that's designed to break the deadlock and stop the UK crashing out of the EU.
"Corbyn's No 10 coup" is the headline in the Daily Mail. The paper pours scorn on the plan - describing it as "the act of a desperate man".
"Fraud victims failed by police" is the main headline in the Times. An undercover investigation by the paper into the police telephone hotline "Action Fraud" reveals staff routinely mislead callers into thinking their cases will be investigated - and mock victims as "morons".
The national service is overseen by City of London Police, but the day-to-day running of the call-centre was outsourced to a private American company four years ago.
A Times reporter, employed at its office near Glasgow, reports call handlers are given just two weeks of training, and regularly take calls from victims while scrolling through their mobiles and even napping.
In a statement, the company said it had begun an investigation and four members of staff had been suspended.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49353050
There's extensive reaction to Jeremy Corbyn's plan to form a government of national unity to avoid a no-deal Brexit in Friday morning's papers.
The Guardian clearly sets out its stall, using its editorial to state that "it is the duty of all MPs who oppose no deal to work together".
Rafael Behr uses his column to highlight his belief that some politicians' opposition to the plan shows that they fear the Labour leader more than a "disorderly" exit from the EU.
Writing in the i, Stephen Bush says Mr Corbyn's plan comes from "cloud cuckoo land", pointing out that the plan is "so far-fetched, it would be less ridiculous to crowdfund the invention of time travel and head back to 2016 with ballot boxes full of Remain votes".
A Paul Thomas cartoon in the Daily Mail takes a satirical look at the story, showing an A-level student saying: "I got a D in politics! Now I hope to form a government of national unity."
The Times carries a story claiming that British banks have expressed concerns to ministers that they would only have around fours hours to switch all of their systems in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The article quotes industry sources expressing concerns about the short timeframe, with the paper saying the disruption could potentially create chaos in the financial system.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the wind farm that went off-grid during last week's nationwide power cut was given nearly £100,000 to reduce its supply the following day.
The National Grid says the decision to ask Hornsea wind farm to cut its power supply was not related to the role it played in causing the blackout.
But the article quotes an energy expert, saying it was a "striking coincidence", especially considering the wind farm had never been asked to reduce it's supply levels before
The Sun is one of a number of publications containing a warning that a host of popular traditional sweets could be about to be consigned to history.
They use the headline "Get Your Dib-Dabs Off Our Sweets" to illustrate the Institute of Economic Affairs' warning that new guidelines from Public Health England will make it impossible for products like Liquorice Allsorts, Parma Violets, boiled sweets and fudge to continue to be sold.
And it appears that Donald Trump could be eyeing his biggest real estate deal to date - buying Greenland.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the president has asked advisers and legal experts to look into whether the US could purchase the territory from Denmark, and held numerous discussions about its abundant resources and geopolitical importance.
Buzzfeed claims that White House officials are apparently split on whether the idea is genuine or just a passing interest for the president.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49365587
The Daily Express says the death of Constable Andrew Harper will confirm in many people's minds that crime is out of control.
It calls for the murder to represent a turning point - the moment Britain refuses to tolerate the cruelty that is commonplace in towns and cities.
In the Sun's view, the onus now falls on the prime minister and home secretary. "No more talking", it says: "It's time for criminals to know things have changed".
The Telegraph agrees, and says "criminals must learn to fear the police."
The main story for the Daily Telegraph is Ken Clarke's declaration that he's willing to lead an emergency government to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
It reports some Lib Dem opposition to Mr Clarke's suggestion that he would try to renegotiate the deal with the EU rather than call a second referendum.
Meanwhile, citing splits among MPs, the Guardian reports that hopes are fading for an alliance against no-deal.
It says the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has written to the Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, arguing that her plan to install a Tory or Labour grandee at the helm of a unity government is not viable.
The Times says Boris Johnson's chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, has asked Whitehall departments to submit a list of achievements to Downing Street to ensure the Conservatives are on an election footing.
He is said to have asked government special advisers to imagine that, in eight weeks, Britain has left the EU and the Tories go on to "smash" Labour at the polls.
The Times casts a critical eye over a proposal to shift the burden of stamp duty on to property sellers, which the Chancellor, Sajid Javid, doesn't rule out in his interview with the paper.
It says the change would be a more radical and progressive move than simply lowering the top rate on the most expensive homes, which Boris Johnson proposed during the Tory leadership election.
But The Times says it would deter homeowners from downsizing.
The Financial Times believes pressure from the Chinese government claimed the scalp of the Cathay Pacific chief executive, Rupert Hogg, who resigned from the Hong Kong airline yesterday.
The FT points out that the change was, unusually, announced by Chinese state-run media, rather than the company, followed an accusation from Beijing that Cathay was undermining safety by allowing staff to join anti-government protests.
According to the Sun, Greggs the baker has halved the size of its custard slices to encourage customers to eat less sugar.
The change hasn't been universally welcomed, with complaints about the taste and the price, which remains at one pound.
The company says it is supporting the Public Health England sugar reduction programme. But one fan of custard slices tells the Sun that "a national favourite has been completely ruined"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-49377476