PM Faces Isolation and Job Worries Amid Mandelson Row and Cabinet Divisions

Sir Keir Starmer faces isolation and leadership challenges amid the Mandelson vetting row. Rising energy costs threaten mobile data rationing, while new UK-France migrant deal and historical insights into road conditions make headlines.

Political Turmoil Surrounds Sir Keir Starmer

"It's over" is the assessment by the Daily Telegraph regarding Sir Keir Starmer's tenure at Downing Street amid ongoing controversy over Lord Mandelson's vetting process. A government source told the paper that the "wheels had stopped turning" in Number 10, while reports the prime minister is becoming "increasingly isolated" as cabinet divisions deepen. The i Paper reveals that allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting are considering a "pact" with former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to avoid a "bloody" leadership contest to replace Sir Keir.

The Times highlights calls from opposition parties for the prime minister to "face sleaze inquiry over Mandelson". It quotes one Labour MP who was the first to call for the prime minister to quit on Wednesday, saying none of his colleagues "reasonably expects" Sir Keir "to last" until the next election.

Opposition parties have called for the prime minister to "face sleaze inquiry over Mandelson," with one Labour MP, the first to demand Sir Keir's resignation on Wednesday, stating none of his colleagues "reasonably expects" him "to last" until the next election.

PM 'fired Robbins before he could defend himself — Allies of Sir Olly Robbins have said he was sacked by the prime minister without even being asked to explain his handling of the Lord Mandelson vetting saga, according to the Independent. The former Foreign Office chief was fired last week for failing to tell Sir Keir that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting for the role of ambassador to the US.

According to the Independent, allies of Sir Olly Robbins have claimed he was dismissed by the prime minister without being given a chance to explain his role in the Lord Mandelson vetting saga. The former Foreign Office chief was sacked last week for failing to inform Sir Keir that Lord Mandelson had not passed vetting for the ambassadorial role to the US.

The i Paper also leads on the growing pressure on Sir Keir, reporting that allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting are now open to a pact with former deputy leader Angela Rayner as it says the cabinet is "losing confidence in PM". One minister tells the paper the entire cabinet would collectively be needed to depose him, describing the situation as "bleak".

The i Paper also highlights the mounting pressure on Sir Keir, reporting that allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting are open to a pact with former deputy leader Angela Rayner amid a cabinet losing confidence in the prime minister. One minister described the situation as "bleak," noting that the entire cabinet would need to unite to depose him.

UK-France Migrant Deal and Financial Implications

The Daily Express describes the UK's new cross-Channel migrant deal as an "astonishing" financial gain for France. The Times notes that this agreement introduces performance-based conditionality for the first time regarding some of the funds involved.

"Here's another £660m to stop the boats," announces the Daily Express. There is an "'astonishing' payday" for France as "Labour strikes new three-year deal".

Attorney General Lord Hermer Investigation

The Daily Telegraph leads with an investigation into Attorney General Lord Hermer, accusing him of pursuing a "witch hunt" against British troops who served in Iraq despite warnings that the allegations were false. Lord Hermer acted as lead counsel in civil claims against the Ministry of Defence, where Iraqis alleged British troops tortured and executed civilians after the 2004 Battle of Danny Boy. The al-Sweady public inquiry later ruled these allegations as "deliberate lies," fully exonerating the troops in 2014. A spokesman for Lord Hermer stated:

"He had always acted with the highest professional standards, and the suggestion the Attorney acted for individuals with the knowledge that their claims were false is categorically untrue."

The Daily Telegraph says Lord Hermer pursued a "witch hunt" against British troops despite being warned that the allegations were lies. The attorney general was lead counsel in civil claims against the Ministry of Defence, in which Iraqis alleged British troops tortured and executed civilians after the Battle of Danny Boy in Iraq in 2004. After the al-Sweady public inquiry ruled the allegations were "deliberate lies", the troops were fully exonerated in 2014. A spokesman for Lord Hermer said he had "always acted with the highest professional standards, and the suggestion the Attorney acted for individuals with the knowledge that their claims were false is categorically untrue".

Energy Costs and Mobile Data Concerns

The Sun warns that rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict may lead to the rationing of phone data. The paper calls the situation a "phoney war," highlighting warnings from telecom giants excluded from a government discount scheme aimed at reducing business costs.

It is a "phoney war", according to the Sun, as Brits are facing "mobile signal rationing as energy costs soar over Iran conflict". The "stark warning" comes from "Telecom giants" who have been excluded from a government discount scheme to reduce business costs.

US Envoy's Request to Fifa

The Financial Times reports that Paolo Zampolli, one of President Donald Trump's special envoys, has requested Fifa to replace Iran with Italy at the upcoming men's football World Cup. Zampolli expressed:

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"I was an Italian native, and it would be a dream"

Fifa declined to comment on the request.

"Ooh aah it's brand new VAR," the Daily Star declares. The World Cup will welcome new "body scan tech" that "could see footballers ruled offside by their dodgy hairdos".

Historical Road Conditions and Potholes

The Times highlights research by British and American academics who mapped journeys of over 100 diarists from the mid-1600s to 1820. These accounts describe roads of the era as "execrable, vile and detestable," indicating that pothole problems existed 300 years ago.

Additional Headlines

The Financial Times reports on job concerns following the UK's highest tax rise on wages among wealthy nations. It also echoes , stating that efforts to revive peace talks have faltered after Iran seized two merchant ships and struck a third in a "show of force" just hours after US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire.

"Job concerns deepen after UK suffers highest tax rise on wages in rich world," writes the Financial Times. It also echoes , saying "bid to revive peace talks founders" after Iran seized two merchant ships and struck a third in a "show of force" that came "just hours" after US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire.

The Daily Mirror covers Amanda Knox, who was acquitted of killing British student Meredith Kercher in Italy after four years in jail. Knox has written to convicted murderer Lucy Letby, currently serving a whole life sentence for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others in 2015 and 2016. Knox, working on a podcast about the UK case, expressed interest in meeting or speaking with Letby.

Amanda Knox, who was cleared of killing British student Meredith Kercher in Italy after four years in jail, says she has written to convicted murderer Lucy Letby in prison, the Daily Mirror reports. The American, who is working on a podcast on the UK case, says she would like to meet or speak to Letby, the former nurse serving a whole life prison sentence for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others in 2015 and 2016.

Metro features stories of resilience, highlighting an 80-year-old "great-gran" still working full-time as a nurse and a father who cycles 60 miles daily to earn a living.

"Workshy Brits? Not this pair!" says Metro, highlighting one "great-gran" who is "still in full-time nursing at age 80". Meanwhile, "dad cycles 60 miles a day to earn a living".

The Daily Mail dedicates its front page to an interview with 56-year-old Wendy Duffy, who has chosen to end her life at a Swiss clinic. Switzerland has permitted assisted suicide since 1942.