The Papers: ‘Shapps missile threat’ and ‘Strictly stars summit’

Image caption, On the front of the Sunday Times is an image of Vaughan Gething who is set to be Wales’ next first minister after narrowly winning the Welsh Labour leadership election with 51.7% of the vote. The paper notes he is to become Wales’ first black leader and marks it as a “first for Wales and Europe”. The lead story, meanwhile, claims UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had to abandon a trip to Ukraine after British intelligence warned that he could be the target of a Russian missile strike.

Image caption, A dejected-looking Marcus Smith is pictured on the front of the Sunday Telegraph as the paper looks at the Six Nations match in Lyon which saw France secure the runner up spot after a narrow 33-31 win over England. The lead story sticks with reports from Saturday on Penny Mordaunt reportedly being eyed up for Rishi Sunak’s leader role – but the paper cites allies of Ms Mordaunt who say the House of Commons Leader is being used to “lure” centrist MPs into backing a leadership contest.

Image caption, The Observer’s lead story also follows up on reports that some in the Conservative Party are planning to oust Rishi Sunak as its leader. Sunday’s paper cites senior Tories who the broadsheet says have rallied around the prime minister. Former cabinet ministers Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and David Davis have publicly denounced the idea as “mad” and “bonkers”. In a separate story the paper reports that a leading psychologist has accused Meta of “turning a blind eye” to Instagram posts that adversely affect young women and girls. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said it takes issues of suicide and self-harm “incredibly seriously” and said its most recent measures include hiding content that discusses suicide and self-harm from teens, even if shared by someone they follow.

Image caption, According to the Mail on Sunday, friends of the late Princess Diana have condemned a euthanasia advert campaign which shows a photo of her fatal crash in Paris. The campaign reportedly shows a picture of a mangled car in a tunnel with the caption: “Diana. She did not choose her death… in 2024, we should have the choice”. Elsewhere, the tabloid has a poll which claims the Tories are heading for their worst election result in history.

Image caption, The Sun on Sunday reports on a “new crisis” for Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice as the tabloid claims three ex-dance partners – Amanda Abbington, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore – could meet to discuss their “difficult experiences” with him. The Sun also reports that a source close to the Italian professional dancer said: “Gio finds some of these allegations deeply unfair and offensive. He believes he’s done nothing wrong, and simply wants to get the best out of his partners.” The BBC has declined to comment, the paper says.

Image caption, Strictly’s Pernice has spoken to the Sunday Mirror about Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington’s exit from the show for the first time, saying: “It’s a shame because, in my opinion, she could have gone all the way.” Abbington pulled out five weeks into the BBC competition citing “medical reasons”, and later went on to claim that she suffered PTSD after the show.

Image caption, Legendary singer Diana Ross turns 80 years old later this month, and the Sunday People teases out a special magazine in tribute to the star ahead of her milestone birthday. The lead story carries an interview with the brother of Eastenders actress Patsy Palmer, who plays Bianca in the soap, saying he plans to get clean from an addiction.

Image caption, As general election date rumours continue to circulate, the Daily Express says former UKIP leader Nigel Farage could have a major influence on this year’s outcome even if he doesn’t stand as a candidate.

Image caption, Finally, there is a spot of green in the top corner of the Daily Star as it reflects on St Patrick’s Day – and a boost for pubs in the UK as revellers flock to mark the occasion. The lead story claims men who wear old-fashioned Y-fronts make the best lovers…

A number of the Sunday papers discuss the Conservative Party leadership.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that there is “extraordinary infighting” within the Conservative Party. One Tory MP says “it is more likely than not” that Rishi Sunak will be “required to go before the next election”, as reports suggest some on the right of the party are backing Penny Mordaunt as his successor.

But allies of the prime minister tell the paper that the Commons’ leader is being used by right-wing MPs as a “stalking horse”, to bolster support for a leadership contest among moderates.

The Sun on Sunday says rebels have drawn up plans for a “papal conclave”, where Tory MPs will be locked in a room until a new leader is chosen.

According to the Observer, Ms Mordaunt wasn’t aware of the reported plot, and believes it is an attempt by those on the right to “damage any potential challenge she may make in the future, after a Tory election defeat”.

The potential scale of that projected defeat is set out in the Mail on Sunday. It says “bombshell private polling” shows the Conservatives are heading for the worst loss in the party’s history – with Sir Keir Starmer possibly winning a majority of nearly 250 seats. One senior Tory says that “the mood in the party means that anything could happen in the coming weeks”. But the paper says no potential successor – including Ms Mordaunt – has “sufficient name recognition to provide the necessary poll bounce”.

Image source, EPA

Image caption, Rishi Sunak in October 2022 after he won the autumn edition of the Conservative Party leadership – some papers are reporting the party may have another contest.

Aside from the infighting, the Conservatives could face what the Sunday Express considers a “catastrophic” external threat. The paper says former UKIP leader Nigel Farage is “set for a dramatic return to frontline politics” as he is “lined up to lead Reform UK’s election charge” in order to “finish off Rishi Sunak”. A senior Tory tells the paper that would be “a game-changer” – predicting that the “trickle” of Conservative votes Reform is already taking “will turn into a flood”. But the Mail on Sunday reports that the former UKIP leader is “in line for a very significant job” if Donald Trump is re-elected US president – possibly as an envoy to the UK.

The Observer says Labour is stepping up its preparations for government. According to the paper, senior members of the shadow cabinet have held a series of informal dinners with top civil servants and former ministers. Reported to be among them are James Purnell, Patricia Hewitt, and the government’s former chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.

Sticking with politics, photos of the incoming first minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, feature on several of the front pages. “A first for Wales – and Europe” is the headline in the Sunday Times. But the Sunday Telegraph argues that he has been given a “poisoned chalice”. According to the Sunday Mirror, Mr Gething faces a number of challenges, including a struggling economy, protesting farmers and record high NHS waiting lists.

Elsewhere, the Sunday Times quotes sources close to the Princess of Wales as saying she will be “clear and open” about her health, when she returns to public duties after recent abdominal surgery. They say Catherine might also discuss her recovery at public engagements, but only when the Royal Family “feels ready”.

Finally, Italian Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has spoken to the Sunday Mirror about Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington’s exit from the show for the first time.