'Rivals circle Starmer' and bid to reopen Hormuz pushes region 'to the brink'
The Times reports that a group of Labour backbenchers who were first elected in 2024 plan to send an open letter to the prime minister asking him to set out a timetable for his resignation, in the event of a dire performance in this week's elections. The paper says that some cabinet ministers are aware of the plan. One is quoted as saying any plan to remove Sir Keir Starmer "must come from the backbenches". The Guardian also quotes ministers - but, in its report, they are warning that any attempt to oust the prime minister would "unleash chaos that would not be easily overcome."
The i Paper says his future is hanging in the balance. The Daily Telegraph notes that Sir Keir has made 11 campaign visits in the past two months, compared with 71 and 41 for Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch respectively. She tells the Daily Mail that it's "already too late" for Labour to improve its chances at the general election - even if the prime minister is jettisoned after this week's results. In its editorial, the Daily Mirror says leadership isn't about "never getting it wrong" - but about values and direction, and Labour is moving forward.
The Telegraph reports that the Metropolitan police are trying to bring a German suspect to the UK to stand trial for the abduction and murder of Madeleine McCann. The article says the Met wants to charge Christian Brueckner before the twentieth anniversary of her disappearance next year. The paper notes, however, that Germany's constitution forbids the extradition of its citizens to non-EU countries.
The Sun's front page carries a photo of a small boat crammed with migrants - above the number, 200,000. It dates the start of what it calls the "crisis" of Channel crossings to 2018 - and says total arrivals are on course to hit that figure today. The paper describes that as a grim milestone.
According to the Financial Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been spending a significant amount of time in underground bunkers in southern Russia since March. The paper says he has become highly concerned about an assassination attempt using drones, or a coup against his leadership.
The Guardian reports on what it calls a landmark in male fertility. A 27-year-old man - who had testicular tissue frozen before undergoing chemotherapy more than a decade ago - has had it re-transplanted and successfully produced sperm. Doctors who led the trial are quoted as saying this will give people hope that they can have biological children.
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