Kemi Badenoch has “blasted” Labour for “crashing” the economy, according to the Daily Express. The comment came after it emerged GDP fell by 0.1% in October. The Conservative leader criticises Chancellor Rachel Reeves and PM Sir Keir Starmer, and says they are “making the wrong choices”, the paper reports.
The Financial Times leads on the same story, and describes the decrease as a “blow” to Reeves. Also on the front is a large bird’s-eye view photo of crowds holding the Syrian flag in Damascus, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship last week.
The Duke of York’s link to an alleged Chinese spy is the lead for The Times. It reports Prince Andrew invited the suspected agent to official functions at three different palaces, including Buckingham Palace, and to his birthday party at the Windsor Estate. The alleged spy was a “close confidant” of the prince, the paper says.
The Daily Mail also reports Prince Andrew knew a Chinese businessman who was banned from the UK over allegations he had been spying since 2012. A statement from the Duke’s office said the prince had “ceased all contact” with the individual, the paper says.
The same story leads The Daily Telegraph, which says money given to the Duke of York by the alleged spy is being investigated by the security services. Sources the Telegraph spoke to said Buckingham Palace has “no power” to scrutinise the Duke’s finances. It reports that King Charles has been made aware of the MI5 investigation.
King Charles has been briefed by M15 over his brother Prince Andrew’s links to an alleged spy, the Daily Mirror writes. He is “truly exasperated”, the paper says.
The front page of the i weekend warns that smart gadgets are spying on the public, with air fryers now recording conversations and data about people’s diet. The story comes as the Information Commissioner’s Office said smart devices are collecting too much information and are leaving consumers feeling powerless to stop them.
And finally, The Daily Star wades in on “Sandwichgate” – the difference in lunch preferences between tuna sandwich-eating Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who enjoys steak. It reports how former Labour leader Ed Miliband, who was once criticised over “an uncooperative bacon butty”, is urging Badenoch to give sandwiches “a chance”. An advert for the BBC’s Gavin and Stacey Christmas special is also featured.
