âStarmer blasts Muskâ and Canadaâs âTrudeau quitsâ
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmerâs response to attacks on him by tech billionaire Elon Musk over grooming gangs leads many of the papers. The Guardian says that, speaking to reporters on Monday, Sir Keir accused Musk of spreading âlies and misinformationâ on the issue and of amplifying the âpoisonâ of the far-right. It adds that he also criticised the last government for not implementing the recommendations of a major report which concluded in 2022, and accused Conservatives politicians who are now calling for a national inquiry of âjumping on the bandwagonâ.
The Daily Mirror splashes on a picture of Musk. The paper writes Sir Keir warned that Muskâs comment are putting politicians at risk and said those criticising the government were ânot interested in the victimsâ.
The Daily Telegraph says Sir Keirâs use of the phrase âfar-rightâ while discussing calls for a national inquiry have prompted a backlash. It quotes him accusing politicians âwho sat in government for many yearsâ of being âcasual about honesty, decency, truth and the rule of lawâ and of âcalling for inquiries because they want to jump on a bandwagon of the far-rightâ. Former home secretary James Cleverly is quoted saying the comments would make Sir Keir âthe best recruiting sergeant for the extremismâ. A No 10 spokesperson tells the paper that the prime minister was only criticising politicians who failed in office, not all those calling for an inquiry.
Sir Keirâs comments have sparked âfuryâ, the Daily Mail reports. The paper quotes Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accusing him of âapplying Labour smear tactics from 20 years agoâ. Also pictured is Zendaya in a gown at the Golden Globes posing for pictures. The paper says the Dune actress is now engaged to British actor and Spiderman star Tom Holland.
The Daily Express says Sir Keir has been criticised for being âout of touchâ with the public on the issue of grooming gangs. Pictured is Demi Moore after winning a Golden Globe in the best female actor in a musical or comedy film category for her role in The Substance.
European leaders have rounded on Musk for attempting to influence overseas politics, according to the Times. The paper quotes French President Emmanuel Macron saying that the âowner of one of the largest social networks in the worldâ was supporting a ânew international reactionary movementâ, and a spokesperson for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying that âdecent peopleâ were in the majority in Germany and would not be swayed by Muskâs âuntruthsâ.
âX Factor spat hits Starmerâ headlines the Metro. The paper says the row has âovershadowedâ the governmentâs announcements of its plans to reduce hospital waiting lists and tackle the NHS backlog.
The plans will see an additional 2.5 million patients sent to private hospitals, including 1.5 million in the most deprived areas with the longest waiting lists, the i reports. The paper quotes Sir Keir acknowledging that some Labour voters will not be comfortable with the use of the private sector but adding that he is ânot interested in putting ideology before patientsâ.
The Financial Times leads with the resignation on Monday of Justin Trudeau, who has served as Canadian prime minister since 2015. The paper says the announcement follows weeks of speculation about Trudeauâs political future and that he was facing growing opposition from with his own party. It adds that his popularity has been hit by soaring living costs as well as a lack of affordable housing.
A man has been charged with stalking Strictly Come Dancing host Shirley Ballas, according to the Sun. The paper says Kyle Shaw, 37, is accused of causing serious distress to the 64-year-old between 2017 and 2023. The Sun also pictures âgolden girlsâ Moore and Zendaya on the red carpet.
And the Daily Star says snowfall has left 23 people holed up at Britainâs highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire, for three nights.
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