Rwanda flights ‘by July’ and Huw Edwards resigns

Image caption, The government’s latest efforts to get its Rwanda asylum policy passed into law features on many of Tuesday’s front pages. The Metro quotes from a press conference held by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of votes on the bill in both Houses of Parliament on Monday night. “Enough is enough,” he said. “No more prevarication, no more delay. Parliament will sit there tonight and vote no matter how late it goes. No ifs, no buts.”

Image caption, The Times says the government has already chartered planes that would enable flights to get off the ground in 10 to 12 weeks and that the prime minister wants to see a “regular rhythm of multiple flights every month” over the summer and beyond.

Image caption, “We’re ready for Rwanda lift-off”, reads the headline in the Daily Mail. The paper says migrants will “soon be detained ahead of deportation” and quotes the prime minister calling the preparations for the flights “one of the most complex operational endeavours the Home Office has carried out”.

Image caption, The i reports that Conservative critics have warned the prime minister that the Rwanda scheme “won’t work”. The paper says backbenchers have challenged Mr Sunak to ensure 2,000 people are deported within six months but that Tory sources close to the scheme think the figure is too optimistic. One figure from the right of the party is quoted saying: “None of it will happen. Rishi’s in la-la land.”

Image caption, Mark Rowley, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has praised the “professional” conduct of a sergeant who stopped an antisemitism campaigner from crossing a pro-Palestinian rally in London earlier this month, the Guardian reports. The force has been criticised over footage in which the officer could be heard telling Gideon Falter he was worried what would happen if Mr Falter crossed the rally because he was “openly Jewish”. In an interview with the paper, Mr Rowley acknowledges that the officer’s choice of words were “clumsy and offensive” but adds: “The sergeant… clearly assessed that there was a risk of confrontation and was trying to help Mr Falter. The wider actions and intent of the officer were professional and in the best tradition of British police trying to prevent disorder.”

Image caption, The news that BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has resigned from the corporation citing “medical advice” leads the Daily Express. The broadcaster had been off air since last July following reports claiming he paid a young person for sexually explicit images. The paper says Mr Edwards was the BBC’s “highest-profile news host, often chosen to present its coverage of major events”, including the death of the Queen in 2022.

Image caption, The Daily Mirror reports that “facial mapping” has shown that a man wanted for questioning in relation to the 1999 murder of TV presenter Jill Dando bears a “striking resemblance” to a former assassin for Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic. The paper says a facial comparison expert has found that a man seen in CCTV footage from near Dando’s home had a similar mouth, chin, and hairline to Milorad Ulemek, who is currently serving 40 years in a Serbian jail.

Image caption, The FTSE 100 rose 1.6% on Monday to close at an all-time high, according to the Financial Times. The paper says the rally of the index – which tracks the value of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange – has been spurred by a weaker pound and boosted corporate valuations amid rising expectations of interest rate cuts later this year.

Image caption, And the Daily Star says a seagull that has been on a “rampage” stealing people’s chips in Liverpool has been crowned the country’s “hardest psycho seagull”.

The Rwanda bill features on many of the front pages. Flight of Fantasy? is the question posed by the headline in the Independent – which carries a warning from MPs that flights to Rwanda will remain grounded – despite the bill – because of legal challenges.

The Telegraph reminds readers that Rishi Sunak has pledged a regular “drum beat” of multiple flights every month through the “summer and beyond” once the scheme is operational.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Many of the papers cover the parliamentary battle over the Rwanda bill

The Guardian’s lead is an interview with Sir Mark Rowley – the Metropolitan Police commissioner – in which he praises what he calls the “professional conduct” of the officer at the centre of an antisemitism row with the activist Gideon Falter at a pro-Palestinian march last weekend. Sir Mark also tells the paper that police at other protests had been “set up” by activists using “fakery” to undermine the force.

The Times reports evidence presented to its own Crime and Justice Commission that organised crime gangs are infiltrating jails by getting associates recruited as prison officers. It has spoken to the former chief inspector of prisons – Nick Hardwick – who says governors have told him that criminals are “placing” people in jail to distribute drugs and oversee other illegal activities.

“Face of a Killer” is the headline in the Mirror. It carries a photo of Milorad Ulemek – a Serbian assassin who is serving 40 years in jail – and who bears what the paper says is a “striking resemblance” to a man wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of the TV presenter Jill Dando, in 1999.

It reports that a facial comparison expert found that the image of “Man X” – taken from a CCTV clip from near Ms Dando’s home – had a similar mouth, chin and hairline to Ulemek – which has led to calls for police to investigate a possible link.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, BBC presenter Huw Edwards is featured on many of the front pages

Many of the front pages picture the BBC presenter Huw Edwards whose resignation from the corporation was announced on Monday – after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him last summer.

The Sun – which published the initial story – has spoken again to the family of the young person involved. They have told the paper they are worried that because Mr Edwards has resigned they might not get the answers they “so desperately” need.

The Star claims to have found Britain’s “hardest” seagull. The paper says it’s nicknamed The Boss – and has been on the rampage in Liverpool stealing people’s chippy teas.