Diana verdict dominates the papers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7335899.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The verdict in the Princess Diana inquest dominates the papers - with most agreeing the legal process should end now.

"Thank God it is over," declares the Guardian, summing up the sentiments of many.

Its leader column brands the proceedings "a mawkish circus" in which egotistical publicity seekers were indulged at taxpayers' expense.

"It took £12m of your money to tell us something we knew all along," is the Sun response, while the Daily Telegraph suggests Dodi Al Fayed's father, Mohamed, foots the bill.

The Daily Express believes the verdict has justified holding an inquest, but the Times urges Mr Al Fayed to admit his "preposterous parallel universe of dark royal threats and MI6 assassins has been shown to be just that".

In the Daily Mail, Max Hastings writes that it is time for the Harrods owner to leave the country and "peddle his poison fruits elsewhere".

Military presence

The arrest of the mother of Shannon Matthews on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice also features widely.

Several tabloids show a picture of her being led away in handcuffs on their front page.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports Chinese and Olympic officials are to hold "urgent talks" about the rest of the torch relay, after the protests in London and Paris.

The Times and Guardian say the tradition may be scrapped for the London 2012 games.

The Guardian also reports that a confidential document on the future of American forces in Iraq suggests arrangements are underway for an open-ended military presence there.

Former prime minister Tony Blair tells the Times about his plans to set up a Faith Foundation, while the Sun features a Brazilian football team which claims to be the world's first made up entirely of dwarves.