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| Newspaper headlines: 'You're nicked' and 'no new smart motorways' | Newspaper headlines: 'You're nicked' and 'no new smart motorways' |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Several of Thursday's front pages lead with the arrest of Peter Murrell, former SNP chief executive and husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as part of an investigation into party finances. Metro features an image of blue tents and police tape outside the couple's home in a quiet cul-de-sac in Glasgow and notes that a search of SNP HQ in Edinburgh was made at the same time. Mr Murrell, who resigned as chief executive last month, has been released without charge, pending further investigation. | Several of Thursday's front pages lead with the arrest of Peter Murrell, former SNP chief executive and husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as part of an investigation into party finances. Metro features an image of blue tents and police tape outside the couple's home in a quiet cul-de-sac in Glasgow and notes that a search of SNP HQ in Edinburgh was made at the same time. Mr Murrell, who resigned as chief executive last month, has been released without charge, pending further investigation. |
| The Daily Mail asks whether knowledge of the arrest was the "real reason" behind Nicola Sturgeon's own resignation as SNP leader and first minister. A spokesperson for the former first minister said she had had "no prior knowledge" of Police Scotland's action or intentions. An image of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who the paper says have not confirmed whether they will be attending the King's coronation next month, completes the front page. | The Daily Mail asks whether knowledge of the arrest was the "real reason" behind Nicola Sturgeon's own resignation as SNP leader and first minister. A spokesperson for the former first minister said she had had "no prior knowledge" of Police Scotland's action or intentions. An image of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who the paper says have not confirmed whether they will be attending the King's coronation next month, completes the front page. |
| Police chiefs in Scotland are being urged to reveal if they faced political pressure to delay the arrest until after a replacement was found for the outgoing first minister, the Daily Telegraph reports. The paper quotes former MSP Alex Neil, who served as health secretary in Ms Sturgeon's first government, as saying that Police Scotland should "make clear if they were asked in any way to delay the arrest and, if so, why they did so". The Telegraph's Scottish Editor Alan Cochrane comments: "Only an election can sweep away the cobwebs of a disgraced administration." | Police chiefs in Scotland are being urged to reveal if they faced political pressure to delay the arrest until after a replacement was found for the outgoing first minister, the Daily Telegraph reports. The paper quotes former MSP Alex Neil, who served as health secretary in Ms Sturgeon's first government, as saying that Police Scotland should "make clear if they were asked in any way to delay the arrest and, if so, why they did so". The Telegraph's Scottish Editor Alan Cochrane comments: "Only an election can sweep away the cobwebs of a disgraced administration." |
| In other news, the i newspaper leads with an exclusive report that no new smart motorways are to be built in England over serious safety concerns. Smart motorways have been blamed for multiple deaths, the paper says. | In other news, the i newspaper leads with an exclusive report that no new smart motorways are to be built in England over serious safety concerns. Smart motorways have been blamed for multiple deaths, the paper says. |
| The Times leads with its own exclusive on its front page. Tory MP Scott Benton was filmed offering to lobby ministers for a fake company in return for payments by undercover reporters posing as gambling industry investors, the undercover investigation found. Mr Benton, who was suspended as a Conservative MP after the story broke, did not pursue the role and no rules appear to have been broken. | The Times leads with its own exclusive on its front page. Tory MP Scott Benton was filmed offering to lobby ministers for a fake company in return for payments by undercover reporters posing as gambling industry investors, the undercover investigation found. Mr Benton, who was suspended as a Conservative MP after the story broke, did not pursue the role and no rules appear to have been broken. |
| The Daily Express features an image of King Charles sipping gin on a distillery tour in Yorkshire. But its main story is on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's defence of government plans to house 500 migrants in a barge off the Dorset coast. The PM describes it as "fair" and a saving for taxpayers, the paper says. | The Daily Express features an image of King Charles sipping gin on a distillery tour in Yorkshire. But its main story is on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's defence of government plans to house 500 migrants in a barge off the Dorset coast. The PM describes it as "fair" and a saving for taxpayers, the paper says. |
| The Daily Mirror turns its attention to the campaign to stop convicted killers from refusing to attend their sentencing hearings - as happened with Thomas Cashman who was jailed for 42 years for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Jabina Yasmin Islam, whose sister Sabina Nessa was murdered in 2021, has urged Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to put the plan into action. | The Daily Mirror turns its attention to the campaign to stop convicted killers from refusing to attend their sentencing hearings - as happened with Thomas Cashman who was jailed for 42 years for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Jabina Yasmin Islam, whose sister Sabina Nessa was murdered in 2021, has urged Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to put the plan into action. |
| The Financial Times reports that Ukraine is willing to discuss the status of Crimea with Moscow if its forces reach the border of the Russian-annexed peninsula, according to a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky who has spoken to the paper. | The Financial Times reports that Ukraine is willing to discuss the status of Crimea with Moscow if its forces reach the border of the Russian-annexed peninsula, according to a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky who has spoken to the paper. |
| And the Daily Star's front page story highlights new research from scientists who have reportedly discovered it is not necessary to have a brain in order to learn something. The research shows that sea anemones, which do not have a brain, can still learn and adapt. The paper jokes that the findings are also good news for Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. The Oxford and Cambridge graduate was not immediately available for comment. | And the Daily Star's front page story highlights new research from scientists who have reportedly discovered it is not necessary to have a brain in order to learn something. The research shows that sea anemones, which do not have a brain, can still learn and adapt. The paper jokes that the findings are also good news for Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. The Oxford and Cambridge graduate was not immediately available for comment. |
| The Daily Telegraph reports that Police Scotland are being asked to reveal if they faced political pressure to delay Peter Murrell's arrest until after Nicola Sturgeon's successor as first minister had been found. It says that although the force has denied notifying Ms Sturgeon in advance, she and senior officers face "big questions" about the circumstances of her resignation and the timing of the arrest. | |
| The Daily Mail's headline is: "Is this the real reason Sturgeon walked out?" and also insists that Ms Sturgeon is facing questions about whether she resigned because she knew her husband was going to be arrested. | |
| And online, the Independent also asks - in its headline - how much Nicola Sturgeon and her successor Humza Yousaf knew about the issues at the centre of the SNP fraud inquiry. | |
| The Times leads on its investigation into the alleged lobbying offers made by Blackpool South MP Scott Benton - which it suggests will renew public debate about MPs using second jobs to push commercial interests for money. The paper said it had begun its investigation after hearing that several senior political figures were concerned that the gambling industry had been successful in securing support from MPs in return for some form of financial reward - amid moves at Westminster to tighten regulations around problem-gambling. | |
| The Sun says it has seen leaked Cabinet papers outlining plans to stop those aged under 25 betting more than £2 a spin online. It claims older gamblers will be allowed to stake up to £15 in slot games. | |
| The Daily Express says Rishi Sunak has defended government plans to house migrants on a barge off Dorset. The Sun leads on the same story - and quotes critics saying the floating hotel for 500 migrants is "cruel". But the paper points out that the three-storey barge has "luxury facilities", with a pool table, gym and bar, as well as TV and wifi throughout - and suggests that "only middle-class lefties could whinge that it is not luxurious enough". | |
| The Daily Mirror carries a plea to Justice Secretary Dominic Raab from the sister of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa. Jebina Yasmin Islam wants him to stop killers being able to snub their sentencing hearings. Her sister's killer refused to come to his sentencing, as did Thomas Cashman on Monday for murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. The paper says the call is supported by former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett who said Mr Raab could "get the ball rolling" on changing the law now. | |
| And the Financial Times reports that Ukraine would be "ready" to hold talks with Moscow on the status of Russian-held Crimea if a counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces was successful. The papers says it is the most explicit expression of Kyiv's interest in negotiations since it cut off peace talks with the Kremlin last April. | |
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