The search for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, an Afghan refugee accused of an alkali attack in Clapham on Wednesday night, is featured on the front pages of several newspapers. The Daily Mail reports that he was twice refused asylum in the UK after arriving illegally in 2016, but finally succeeded on his third attempt after claiming to have converted to Christianity. The paper suggests that his case highlights the need for tighter controls on asylum. The Sun quotes screams from the injured mother of his alleged victims, while The Guardian concentrates on the US response to the deaths of three soldiers in Jordan.
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has spoken out in support of Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who he fears “may need help”. The Daily Mirror reports that Gascoigne, who overcame his own addiction problems, has likened Rashford’s situation to his own, claiming they were both trying to “keep their heads above water”. Rashford scored in the team’s 4-3 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday.
The Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25% but has indicated that it may cut them in future, according to the Financial Times. The bank’s decision is said to be dependent on further evidence that inflation will remain on a downward trend. Meanwhile, the Daily Express suggests that chancellor Jeremy Hunt could announce a National Insurance cut in March. Hunt is reported to be considering cutting an additional penny and has committed to prioritising tax reductions that will boost growth.
Training given to government officials costing over £160,000 warns that expressions of disinterest, such as looking at phones or rolling eyes, could be considered discriminatory, reports Metro. Instead, employees are said to be told to nod their heads to express inclusion. The newspaper also covers news of farmers in Belgium throwing eggs and stones as they call for more help from the EU, and transfers on deadline day.
The i highlights the issues surrounding the UK’s “biggest tax-raising parliament on record”. The newspaper reports that millions of people face a rise in “stealth taxes”, despite Treasury sources suggesting that Jeremy Hunt doesn’t have the funds to reverse the trend. Rugby Union’s Six Nations tournament kicks off in Marseille today, with France facing their longstanding rivals, Ireland
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