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9 months ago
23
No one story dominates the front pages on Christmas Eve. The Mail on Sunday leads on the apparent content of King Charles III's Christmas message. Describing the King as an "eco-activist", the paper says he will "deliver a powerful message about the environment".
The main photo on the front page of the Sunday Times shows King Charles in Buckingham Palace after he recorded his Christmas Day message. It says his message will focus on the environment, while the tree in the palace will be replanted after Christmas. The paper also quotes Baroness Michelle Mone - who has been caught up in a scandal around personal protective equipment (PPE) during Covid - as claiming she has been treated like drug baron Pablo Escobar after having her bank accounts frozen by the National Crime Agency.
The Sunday Express quotes Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as saying that the UK's economy has finally "turned a corner" and can look forward to a brighter year ahead. "Don't Let Scrooges Drag You Down," is its headline.
The Sunday Mirror reports on its front page that Home Secretary James Cleverly joked about drink-spiking at a reception in 10 Downing Street. It alleges that he said that the secret to a long marriage was ensuring your spouse was "someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there". It also claims he mentioned the so-called 'date rape' drug Rohypnol. A spokesman said it was an "ironic joke" for which "he apologises".
The main story on the front page of the Sunday Telegraph quotes Foreign Secretary David Cameron as saying that the United Kingdom will not tolerate Iran's "malign" activities, either in the UK or the Middle East. The remarks were made in an interview Lord Cameron gave to the paper. Another story on its front page quotes former defence secretary Ben Wallace as calling for 4x4s scrapped under London's Ulez scheme to be sent to Ukraine.
The front page of the Sun on Sunday includes an interview with British teenager Alex Batty, who was recently found walking in France six years after going missing. He tells the paper he doesn't want his mum to go to jail. The paper's main story is about the love life of former footballer Jermaine Pennant.
The main story on the front page of the Sunday People says that producers at ITV have offered the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, £500,000 to appear on the reality show Celebrity Big Brother.
The Daily Star Sunday quotes Brendan O'Caroll, the star and creator of the comedy Mrs Brown's Boys, as saying he doesn't care about those who criticise the show because "it brings joy to kids with autism".
The Mail on Sunday reports that the King will use his Christmas broadcast tomorrow to "deliver a powerful message about the environment". The paper says while the precise contents of the address are a "closely guarded secret", the eco-friendly theme is apparent in the way it has been filmed. The Sunday Times has a picture of the King next to a Christmas tree at Buckingham Palace, which for the first time, has retained its roots and will be replanted. The decorations are sustainable too and include dried oranges and pine cones.
"Malign Iran is threat to the world", is the message from the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, in the The Sunday Telegraph. He calls Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah "proxies" for Tehran who are contributing to an extremely high level of "danger and insecurity" around the world. In what the Telegraph calls a "significant toughening" of the UK's approach, Lord Cameron says Iran must be sent "an incredibly clear message" that its aggression will not be tolerated.
The new chairman of NHS England has told the Sunday Times that he fears for patients during the next round of strikes by junior doctors. The six day walk-out is due to begin on Wednesday, 3 January. "It just can't continue like this", Richard Meddings tells the paper. He adds the timing of the industrial action is "really unfortunate". The Sunday Times suggests the strike could push waiting lists above eight million.
The Observer reports that two former health secretaries, Stephen Dorrell and Alan Milburn, have joined calls to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. A Labour government would also reportedly make time for an assisted dying bill in the House of Commons. Experts have told the Sunday Telegraph that a model used in the US state of Oregon - where a doctor prescribes a drug for use at home - would be the best option here. But according to the state's records, of the 2,895 people prescribed assisted dying pills just 1,905 took them.
"Make the most of your Christmas dinner", declares the Daily Express - because Britain is facing shortages of cauliflowers, carrots, cabbage and broccoli in the new year. The British Growers Association says recent wet conditions have damaged winter crops - while planting was delayed by the washout summer. Jack Ward from the BGA says producers have retailers "breathing down their necks" for orders - and that any shortage is likely to be at the end of February or the start of March.
The Observer's front page features an image of the Premier League's first female referee, Rebecca Welch. The Mail on Sunday reports she entered the pitch to warm up to "rapturous applause". The Daily Star Sunday says she "impressed" during the game between Fulham and Burnley - getting all the key decisions "spot on". The Sun on Sunday is equally glowing, saying Ms Welch "cruised" through her Premier League debut - describing her as a "role model, inspiration and trailblazer".
