Wednesday’s papers cover a range of stories, with a tragic incident involving migrants in the English Channel taking the top spot. At least 12 people, including six children and a pregnant woman, died after their boat sank. More than 50 people were rescued, with 70 thought to have been on board. Charities are calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to open safe routes for asylum seekers, and the Daily Mail asks how long it will be before the smugglers are stopped.
The publication of the Grenfell fire inquiry’s final report also makes headlines. MPs and survivors are calling for criminal prosecutions to follow. The police have said that they need to read the report before pursuing prosecutions, and the complexity of the case means that no charges will be brought until late 2026. Labour MP Joe Powell is urging the government to accelerate prosecutions.
Regulators are reportedly going to scale back a new regime intended to force banks to reimburse victims of fraud. The proposed ceiling for compensation was £415,000, but this has been reduced to £85,000 due to concerns from the banking and fintech industries. Banks argued that the higher limit would encourage fraud, while smaller fintech firms feared that it would put them out of business.
Finally, the UK government’s decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel has placed it at odds with the United States, according to the Times. A government source has reported that the US warned Britain in private against the decision because it could damage attempts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. However, the Foreign Office denies this account of talks with the US and other allies.
In other news, a 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of 80-year-old Bhim Kohli in a Leicestershire park. The Daily Express reports that Mr Kohli was walking his dog when he was attacked, just 30 seconds from his home. Meanwhile, the son of a man who is believed to have taken his own life after appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019 has accused presenter Jeremy Kyle of throwing him “under the bus” by encouraging the audience to boo him.
Finally, the Daily Star reports the Mafia is moving away from their traditional homes in Italy and America and now takes up residence in unlikely suburban towns like Woking
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