New 'bombshell' Epstein emails and 'Streeting goes to war with No 10'
- Published
Newly released emails suggesting Donald Trump knew about the conduct of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein dominate Thursday's papers. "He knew about the girls" is the Guardian's headline, quoting directly from one of the messages released by Democrats on the House oversight committee. The email is one of three published exchanges containing allegations that the US president was aware of Epstein's activities. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
Trump "spent hours" at Epstein's house with a woman later identified as a victim of sex trafficking is the Financial Times' lead, as it focuses on another allegation revealed in the newly released emails. The paper quotes one senior Democrat saying the latest messages spark "glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding" about the nature of Trump and Epstein's relationship.
The Daily Mirror echoes with its headline "Trump 'spent hours with Giuffre'", naming Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre as one of the women referenced in the new emails. The White House came out in defence of the US president, and accused Democrats of "selectively leaking emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump".
Splashed across the Independent is the infamous photo of Trump and his wife Melania with Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell taken at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. The paper also quotes from one of the "bombshell messages" in which Epstein writes to Maxwell: "I want you to realize the dog that hasn't barked is Trump."
Shifting to news closer to home, the Daily Telegraph's main story covers the ongoing murmurs of a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. "Streeting goes to war with No 10" is the paper's headline after the health secretary was accused of plotting against the prime minister by Sir Keir's top allies. Streeting denied the accusations and branded Downing Street as "toxic" and "juvenile", the paper reports.
"I am and always have been a faithful" is how Metro reports the health secretary's response. The paper details Streeting's "fury" at the implication that he is leading a "Traitors-style plot to banish Starmer" and mocks up a picture of him in the Round Table room of the aforementioned TV show.
In another twist to Labour's leadership "civil war", the Times says cabinet ministers are demanding the sacking of the PM's chief of staff over allegations he had advance knowledge of the briefings that accused Streeting of a leadership coup. Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir's most senior aide, has categorically denied criticising the health secretary to the media.
"No 10 in turmoil" is the i Paper's take, as it describes ministers turning their anger on McSweeney. The paper describes the "cabinet despair" over the attacks against the health secretary and Downing Street's "paranoia over Labour plots".
The Daily Mail features a warning to those potential "Labour plotters" from the PM's allies. Those close to Sir Keir say any plans to oust him could trigger a general election, the paper reports. "At last, a ray of hope!" declares a sardonic Mail sub-headline.
The Daily Express spotlight's the view from the Tories on Labour's infighting. The paper headlines on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's comments accusing the PM of "being in office, but not in power".
The Daily Star turns its attention to attention to music and the news that singer Dua Lipa and bands Coldplay and Radiohead are backing a cap on ticket sale prices to give music back to the fans. The paper praises the move as a "Boldplay".
Finally, the Sun teases a "Ramsay wedding exclusive" as it reports that Olympian Adam Peaty was given a police escort at Manchester Airport after receiving threats on his stag do ahead of his wedding to Holly Ramsay. The pair are set to tie the knot at Christmas.
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