The Times reports that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s investment forum is “in chaos after derogatory comments” that a cabinet minister directed at a major shipping company. The paper says Transport Secretary Louise Haigh recently described P&O Ferries as a “rogue operator” over a fire-and-rehire scandal in 2022. The remarks caused the ferry firm’s owner, DP World, to shelve plans for a £1 billion infrastructure investment, the Times adds.
DP World boss Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem will no longer attend the PM’s investment summit on Monday, according to the Daily Telegraph, which describes the snub as an “embarrassing blow” to the government’s “push for growth”. The paper also reports that Downing Street has “appeared to blame” Haigh personally for the Dubai-based company pulling out, after she also urged a boycott of P&O in a TV interview this week.
The i Weekend reports that Russian hackers have successfully targeted the UK’s ambulance services, which intelligence sources tell the paper are a “real threat to British emergency services”. The i reports the attack is part of a new Russian cyber warfare campaign targeting the UK in response to Ukraine’s use of western weapons.
King Charles III has said he will not stand in the way of Australia removing him as head of state, the lead story in the Daily Mail reports. The paper says the King has written to a republican campaign group, in response to a request to meet him on an upcoming visit, expressing his “deep love and affection” for the country.
The Manchester United dressing room was bugged before an away match against Aston Villa, the Sun reports, describing it as a “shocking security breach”. The paper says a “prankster claims he hoodwinked” staff at Villa Park to plant the device, which recorded manager Erik ten Hag’s team talks at the Premier League game.
The Daily Express is leading with an interview with a 13-year-old girl sentenced for violent disorder after being involved in an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in this summer’s riots. The girl told the paper she “made a mistake and did something stupid”, but that she fears for her future after being left with a criminal record.
The Daily Mirror carries an interview with Elton John, who has spoken about how tiring he found touring and how it has made him “think about death”. The 77-year-old music icon also told the paper: “I don’t know how much time I have left.”
The FT Weekend’s lead story is about Wall Street showing “growing confidence in the US economy” and reviving bond investments, which the paper says has “buoyed” global financial giants. The FT reports the prospect of falling interest rates has led to “unprecedented amounts of cash” being invested in some firms.
The Daily Star reports on a Canadian diver’s claims that he saw the King piloting a UFO in Nova Scotia in 1975. The paper reports that the “totally sane” comments are going to be featured in a new Netflix documentary about “Royal shenanigans”.
