Newspaper review: 'Predators' join police and 'king of the bungle'

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By BBC News
Staff
Getty Images

The Daily Mail leads with what it calls the "bombshell report" on police vetting procedures, saying there are "thousands" of corrupt officers on the streets of England and Wales.

It says some of them have convictions for serious offences, yet they still managed to join up. According to the paper, a neo-Nazi was recruited by Scotland Yard, despite featuring in a video for a banned far-right group two days before he applied. The former probationary officer had lied on his application and vetting form.

The Times also leads on the story. It says one person was recruited despite having previously been a pimp.

In an editorial, the paper says the "shocking" report on the recruitment of officers must lead to reform. "Trust in the police - fundamental to a civilised society - is eroding," it says, adding: "The priority of chief constables throughout the country must be to restore it."

According to the the Daily Telegraph, NHS bosses are seeking up to £7bn in extra funding to tackle backlogs.

The paper says more than seven million people - one in eight of the population - are on waiting lists in England for NHS treatment and tests. It says Rishi Sunak is set to prioritise health spending while other departments face funding cuts.

The Guardian leads on a report that the government has "war gamed" emergency plans to cope with energy blackouts lasting up to seven days, amid growing fears over supplies this winter.

The paper says it's seen documents which warn that - in a "reasonable worst-case scenario" - all sectors, including transport, food and water supply, as well as communications and energy, could be "severely disrupted" for a week.

In response, a government spokesperson says that "as a responsible government", it's right it plans "for all potential scenarios".

The i warns of a new "hike" - of £881- for average tracker mortgages, because of an expected rise in interest rates tomorrow.

The paper believes the Bank of England will put up rates to 3% - the highest level since the 2008 financial crash - in an attempt to dampen inflation.

It also says some people emerging from five-year fixed deals will need to pay £400 extra a month. However, the paper says mortgage brokers are "hopeful" that new deals will get cheaper early next year.

The Financial Times says that "bumper earnings" by major oil companies are raising pressure on them to help ease the cost of living crisis. It says the prime minister and the chancellor are looking at extending windfall taxes on oil groups, after Shell's bumper profits and yesterday's BP results.

And Matt Hancock's decision to join "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!" is widely derided.

"The Man with No Shame," declares the Daily Mirror. The Daily Express talks of "fury" among Covid-bereaved families, while the Daily Mail says the former health secretary faces uproar from voters and his party.

The Metro calls him "king of the jungle".

But Mr Hancock tells the Sun he thinks "it's a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren't always interested in politics".

"You've gotta feel sorry for the bugs", says the Daily Star.

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