Newspaper headlines: 'Travel carnage worsens' and PM fuels Tory anger

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By BBC News
Staff
PA Media

The papers report on the possibility of a leadership challenge to Prime Minister Boris Johnson

The possibility of a leadership challenge to the prime minister is the main focus for both the i and the Guardian.

The i says the threat is "growing by the day" with speculation that Tory rebel MPs are close to the threshold of 54 letters of no confidence that would trigger a vote.

The Guardian says momentum is building for a challenge next week - and anger within the Conservative party is down to what it calls Boris Johnson's "lurch to the right" after partygate. One backbench critic tells the paper that opposition to the PM is "increasingly co-ordinated".

The Daily Telegraph says Conservative whips - who look after party discipline - have been discussing how to fight back if a confidence vote is triggered. It suggests all Tory MPs will be contacted immediately, in what it calls a "lobbying drive to save the prime minister's job".

The Telegraph's front page also reports on an NHS study that suggests 3,000 diabetics may have died following the first lockdown because of a lack of health checks. Researchers said a move to remote forms of healthcare and a reduction in routine tests meant some crucial physical examinations did not take place in the 12 months after the first lockdown.

The report's author tells the paper it highlighted the importance of "supported management for people living with diabetes" but added that the most recent data suggested the NHS was heading in the right direction again.

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The Daily Mail leads on a plea to the chancellor to cut fuel duty in the face of record petrol and diesel prices. "Save us from the £100 tank of fuel, Rishi," is the headline. The paper says the cost of filling a typical 55-litre tank with unleaded petrol has soared to £95, while diesel has already hit the £100 mark. It reports that "experts and campaigners" are accusing retailers of "mercilessly fleecing" diesel drivers by hiking their profit margins by almost 50%.

Plans to use a former RAF base to house asylum seekers have been delayed, according to the Yorkshire Post. It reports officials as saying "no final decision" has been taken on whether to use the site at Linton-on-Ouse - information it describes as "putting the brakes on the government's headline asylum policy at the 11th hour". The Post says the processing centre was expected to begin operating later.

Airport travel chaos is the main story in several papers. The Metro shows queues of half term holiday-makers and describes "families sleeping on airport floors" and waiting for eight hours - only to have flights cancelled because of staff shortages. It was "travel carnage" that led to "Tears and Fury" according to The Daily Express. The paper says holiday firms may have to pay millions in compensation.

The Times warns that disruption is likely to hit Platinum Jubilee holidays this weekend, and quotes government sources as being highly critical of airports and airlines. The Daily Mirror says there are fears the misery could last all summer. And the Daily Star has mocked up postcards with scenes from Stansted, Manchester and Bristol airports with a twist on the traditional greeting. Its headline is "Wish you were anywhere but here".