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Papers unimpressed by PM war speech Papers unimpressed by PM war speech
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown's attempt to defend the British military campaign in Afghanistan leaves many newspapers unconvinced.Gordon Brown's attempt to defend the British military campaign in Afghanistan leaves many newspapers unconvinced.
Under the headline: "Failure to engage", The Times says Mr Brown's remarks will give "little comfort to troops, little reassurance to the public and no convincing reply to critics."Under the headline: "Failure to engage", The Times says Mr Brown's remarks will give "little comfort to troops, little reassurance to the public and no convincing reply to critics."
The Sun is unimpressed too. It quotes a critical Diane Dernie, whose son lost both legs to a Taleban bomb. The Sun is unimpressed too. It quotes a critical Diane Dernie, whose son lost both legs to a Taliban bomb.
She tells the paper the speech showed "no compassion for the wounded and families of soldiers who have died". She tells the paper the speech showed "no compassion for the wounded and families of soldiers who have died".
In an editorial the Sun says Mr Brown's problem is that he is "not a Churchill. Nor even a Blair.In an editorial the Sun says Mr Brown's problem is that he is "not a Churchill. Nor even a Blair.
'Without flair''Without flair'
"He is without their flair for oratory or drama - important qualities in a wartime premier who acts as the nations cheerleader"."He is without their flair for oratory or drama - important qualities in a wartime premier who acts as the nations cheerleader".
There's little cheer for Mr Brown in The Independent which says the PM faces a backbench revolt over Afghanistan. There's little cheer for Mr Brown in the Independent which says the PM faces a backbench revolt over Afghanistan.
Writing in the paper, Labour MP Paul Flynn likens the conflict to the US involvement in Vietnam.Writing in the paper, Labour MP Paul Flynn likens the conflict to the US involvement in Vietnam.
Mr Flynn, MP for Newport West, calls for the withdrawal of British troops to safe havens to remove them from the extreme danger they face.Mr Flynn, MP for Newport West, calls for the withdrawal of British troops to safe havens to remove them from the extreme danger they face.
The Guardian reports that the prime minister is considering bolstering troop numbers in Afghanistan.The Guardian reports that the prime minister is considering bolstering troop numbers in Afghanistan.
The paper says the short-term increase in numbers would used to train Afghan security forces. .The paper says the short-term increase in numbers would used to train Afghan security forces. .
It is a strategy the paper says is designed to accelerate the date of a British exit from the country.It is a strategy the paper says is designed to accelerate the date of a British exit from the country.
Oil dealOil deal
The Daily Telegraph claims Justice Secretary Jack Straw has restarted the Lockerbie bomber row.The Daily Telegraph claims Justice Secretary Jack Straw has restarted the Lockerbie bomber row.
The paper says he admitted that trade and oil were an essential part of the Government's decision to include him in a prisoner transfer deal with Libya.The paper says he admitted that trade and oil were an essential part of the Government's decision to include him in a prisoner transfer deal with Libya.
Mr Straw said he is unapologetic about including convicted terrorist Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi in the agreement.Mr Straw said he is unapologetic about including convicted terrorist Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi in the agreement.
And he cites a multi-million-pound oil deal signed by BP and Libya six weeks after the prisoner agreement.And he cites a multi-million-pound oil deal signed by BP and Libya six weeks after the prisoner agreement.
Mr Straw also suggests the Scottish government released the terminally-ill bomber on compassionate grounds earlier than the UK Government would have done.Mr Straw also suggests the Scottish government released the terminally-ill bomber on compassionate grounds earlier than the UK Government would have done.
The Daily Mail says more than a million bank customers have an estimated £1.7bn stuck in limbo because of a freeze placed on excessive charge complaints.The Daily Mail says more than a million bank customers have an estimated £1.7bn stuck in limbo because of a freeze placed on excessive charge complaints.
It says banks have being allowed to stall customers until January 2010.It says banks have being allowed to stall customers until January 2010.
Maggot rowMaggot row
That is when a court case between the Office of Fair Trading and the major banks is due to be settled.That is when a court case between the Office of Fair Trading and the major banks is due to be settled.
The Financial Times reports on the decision by the head of Google's operations in China to quit.The Financial Times reports on the decision by the head of Google's operations in China to quit.
It follows a decision by the internet giant to use a censored version of its search engine to gain a foothold in the Chinese market.It follows a decision by the internet giant to use a censored version of its search engine to gain a foothold in the Chinese market.
The Daily Telegraph recounts the curious case of bin men who refused to empty a recycling box which contained a maggot.The Daily Telegraph recounts the curious case of bin men who refused to empty a recycling box which contained a maggot.
The refuse collectors men said it was against the rules for them to handle "live animals".The refuse collectors men said it was against the rules for them to handle "live animals".
However Warwick District Council has now apologised over the incident.However Warwick District Council has now apologised over the incident.