A mix of stories makes the front pages of Friday’s papers but the looming vote on the assisted dying bill features prominently. The Daily Express leads off with a plea from a supporter of the bill urging MPs to “allow us the choice to have a good death”. A photograph of Sophie Blake, who has incurable breast cancer, dominates the front page as MPs prepare on Friday for the “last chance for years” to vote on assisted dying.
The assisted dying bill sits on a “knife-edge” as several Labour MPs who previously backed the plan made an “11th hour” plea for colleagues to reject it, the Daily Telegraph reports. The bill returns to the Commons after “a series of controversies” about changes, which critics say “drastically weakened” the plans. Alongside, an eye-catching photo of a dog cooling off with a good shake after a swim sums up Thursday’s soaring 30C temperatures in the UK.
The Daily Mail follows with an “emotional appeal” from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who says he will not support the assisted dying bill. Writing in the Mail, Jenrick says his grandmother Dorothy brought joy to the family as she “defied a terminal diagnosis for nearly decade” and the prospect of legalising assisted dying “fills him with dread”. Elsewhere, the absence of Catherine, Princess of Wales, at Royal Ascot on Thursday is also prominent, as the paper hints at a “tell-tale detail” that was missed.
The wait for Donald Trump’s decision on whether the US will join the escalating Middle East conflict leads the Guardian, as it reports on the US president setting a “two-week deadline” to leave the window open for diplomacy. Sharing the top spot is the weather warning across the UK as the heatwave is set to last over the weekend.
The Times describes Trump’s two-week “reprieve” as a “step back from the brink”. The paper says the US president is looking for an “off ramp” after advisers became concerned at Iran’s ability to target US bases in the Middle East. Accompanying the story is a striking photo of a baby being evacuated from the site of an Iranian missile attack in the city of Ramat Gan east of Tel Aviv.
The EU is pushing for a “UK-style trade deal” with the US as Trump’s July deadline looms, says the Financial Times. It reports that the bloc is looking to negotiate a deal that would leave some tariffs in place instead of a reaching a full trade agreement. Also looming large on the front page is a photograph of a person standing in the ruins of Iran’s state TV headquarters after it was bombed in an Israeli air strike this week.
A Chinese PhD student named by police as “one of the most prolific predators” in the UK has been jailed for 24 years for drugging and raping 10 women, the Metro reports. The paper spotlights victims saying they will be “haunted for life” by his crimes and have “lost faith in humanity”.
The i Paper leads with the government confirming that victims of the faulty Post Office Capture computer scandal will be compensated for wrongful prosecutions “dating back 30 years”. One victim expresses relief at the news but says “there’s a long way to go”. Elsewhere, the i reports that the UK may allow the US use of its airbases if Donald Trump decides to join the Middle East conflict, but is “unlikely to join bombing campaign”.
“Royal AscHot!” blares the Daily Star as it says Thursday was the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures peaking at 32C. Also teased are the “fashion stakes winners” at Royal Ascot featuring a colourful gallery of extravagant headwear.
Finally, the Daily Mirror reports on a Gary Glitter “bombshell”, with the convicted paedophile accepting the latest Parole Board decision to keep him in jail.
By saiphnews
