Papers analyse leadership tension

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The tensions that have engulfed Labour amidst speculation over Tony Blair's successor is widely reported in Sunday's papers.

Gordon Brown is interviewed in the News of the World, where he rebuffs the suggestion that he has "psychological issues" and says he is a "team player".

The Independent on Sunday says there was a second letter calling on the prime minister to resign.

And one of the signatories says the letter could still be delivered.

Leadership race

The Observer claims that up to 10 Cabinet ministers are now discussing an "anyone but Gordon" candidate.

It says Alan Johnson, Alan Milburn and John Reid are all potential candidates.

The Sunday Mirror says it has learned that Alan Johnson is set to throw his hat in the ring and challenge Gordon Brown for the leadership.

The paper goes on to quote an unnamed senior Labour MP, who says the Education Secretary's "battle plan" has already been drawn up.

'Pathetic' pay

The Sunday Times notes that if it were not for the "war in Whitehall", the war in Afghanistan would "rightly be dominating the front pages".

After the deaths of 19 British troops in the past week, the paper urges Nato to change tactics and bribe a coalition of tribes to establish some stability.

The dangers of the Afghanistan campaign prompt the Sunday Telegraph to call for better wages for British soldiers.

It says the average infantryman's pay - about £39 a day - is "pathetic".

Stingray bounty

The Mail on Sunday reports that actress Nicole Kidman made an unusual request of staff at London's Dorchester Hotel.

It claims that Ms Kidman - who is 39 - asked for all the lightbulbs to be changed from 60 watts to 40 watts.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Express reports that fishermen have put a bounty on the bull stingray which killed Australian naturalist Steve Irwin.

It quotes a member of his production team who says many fans wanting to avenge Irwin's death have called.