What the papers say – March 3
More leaked WhatsApp messages feature among the front pages.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Friday papers are dominated by revelations from the public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing.
The Daily Mirror, The Independent and i report MI5 boss Ken McCallum issued an apology after the review into the May 2017 atrocity found it might have been prevented if MI5 had acted more swiftly on a piece of intelligence received in the months before.
The Guardian leads with “fury” from the families of the victims, while The Sun carries the headline: “22 Who Should Be Alive.”
Elsewhere, ministers and senior officials discussed the need to “get heavy” with the police over the enforcement of Covid lockdown regulations, according to the latest tranche of Matt Hancock’s leaked messages published by The Daily Telegraph.
Metro carries Matt Hancock calling the leaks a “massive betrayal and breach of trust”.
The Times reports the Prime Minister has been urged to block Sue Gray, who led the so-called ‘partygate’ inquiry, from taking up a new job as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff.
The Daily Mail says Tory MPs have claimed the move is proof that the inquiry was a Labour “stitch-up”.
Boris Johnson has said Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal does not “take back control” from the EU, according to the Daily Express.
The Financial Times leads with the world’s largest building materials group opting to list in New York over London.
And the Daily Star says a health minister admitted the Government discussed killing all of Britain’s cats in the early days of the pandemic.