Papers ponder new Lib Dem leader

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The hotly contested fight for Lib Dem leader comes under scrutiny, with little joy for victorious Nick Clegg.

The Daily Telegraph dubs Vince Cable the best leader the Lib Dems never had.

The paper points to Mr Cable's hugely successful acting leadership as setting a standard the young Mr Clegg may be unable to match.

That opinion is echoed in the Times by Magnus Linklater, who says his showing in the Commons will be judged against the standards of the caretaker leader.

Baby units

The Guardian claims scores of premature babies may be dying unnecessarily in England because the NHS mismanaged a reform of neo-natal units in 2003.

The story is based on findings by the National Audit Office which suggest the units were not left adequately staffed.

The Times points to huge regional variations in staffing levels.

The Independent quotes Public Accounts Committee chairman Edward Leigh as calling the report an indictment of the National Health Service.

Police station

Singer Amy Winehouse is back in the news - and once again her award-winning voice is not making the headlines.

The Sun claims she was "screaming and crying" before her arrest in connection with an attempt to pervert the course of justice involving her husband.

The Daily Mirror says she turned up at a police station with her lawyers for an arranged meeting with detectives.

The Daily Star says she arrived at Shoreditch police station, east London, after being arrested "by appointment".

Financial forecasts

The Daily Express predicts the Bank of England may reduce interest rates by a quarter point as early as next month.

It suggests that industry analysts claim rates may fall to 5% or even lower by the middle of next year.

The Daily Mail says taxpayer support for the stricken Northern Rock bank has risen to an "eye-watering" £55bn.

The paper says according to Treasury sources the total potential liability is more that £50bn - the equivalent of the entire education budget.