Paper review: Johnson in \'fightback\' amid privacy row

Newspaper headlines: Johnson launches 'fightback' amid privacy row

By BBC News Staff
Daily Mirror front page 25/06/19
Image caption Boris Johnson dominates the front pages once again as the Tory leadership hopeful continues to face questions over a row with his partner, Carrie Symonds, which prompted neighbours to call the police. The Daily Mirror claims the couple have "staged" a happy picture together and accuses Mr Johnson of dodging TV debates while he "flaunts" his private life.
Metro front page 25/06/19
Image caption "Keep calm and Carrie on" is the headline in the Metro, which has the same picture on its front page. The paper says "mystery" surrounds the emergence of the photograph but sources close to the couple played down claims the scene was staged.
i front page 25/06/19
Image caption The i claims the photograph of the couple was released by Mr Johnson's campaign team in an attempt to get his leadership bid back on track. It comes after Mr Johnson was called a "bottler" by his leadership rival Jeremy Hunt, for refusing to debate him on TV, the paper reports.
Telegraph front page 25/06/19
Image caption Meanwhile, Mr Johnson has launched a "passionate defence" of his right to privacy, the Telegraph says. The paper reports comments from an interview with the BBC, where he argues it is "not fair" on his loved ones to talk about matters involving them.
Guardian front page 25/06/19
Image caption Mr Johnson is also planning a "media blitz", with a series of stage-managed appearances in the coming days, according to the Guardian. It comes amid mounting criticism he is dodging public scrutiny, as he refused to attend a Sky News debate scheduled for this week, the paper reports.
The Times front page 25/06/19
Image caption The Times also reports that Mr Johnson is beginning a "fightback", with a series of public appearances planned to dispel accusations he is hiding from scrutiny. He will take part in five events in a single day, including a visit to a high street in south-east England, the paper says.
Daily Express front page 25/06/19
Image caption The Daily Express proclaims it is "time to stop the war on Boris", reporting that a number of Tory MPs have accused a "Left-wing hate mob" of trying to wreck Mr Johnson's leadership bid with a "campaign of intrusion and harassment". Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg is among those rallying around Mr Johnson, the paper reports.
Daily Mail front page 25/06/19
Image caption The Daily Mail also carries the picture of Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds on its front page. However, its lead story reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent £2.4m of public money doing up their Windsor home. New bathrooms, bedrooms and a kitchen were among the changes made to Frogmore Cottage, where Prince Harry and Meghan moved earlier this year, the paper reports.
The Sun front page 25/06/19
Image caption The story is also the lead for the Sun, which reports that the final bill is set to be near £3m. Officials said a "substantial overhaul" of their five-bed home was needed, according to the paper.
Financial Times front page
Image caption The Financial Times leads on US President Donald Trump's decision to impose new sanctions on Iranian officials. The move is likely to be seen as "highly provocative" in Iran and will fuel suspicions Washington is pushing for regime change, the paper says.
Daily Star front page 25/06/19
Image caption The BBC has been accused of "brainwashing" the British public to support Brexit by showing Dad's Army repeats, the Daily Star reports. The paper's headline - "They don't like it up 'em" - is a reference to a catchphrase from the sitcom, which is set during World War II.

With his picture on many of the front pages for the fourth day running, the Times reports that Boris Johnson is launching a "fightback" to reassure Tory activists he's the right man to lead the party.

It says he will make five public appearances today - all heavily stage-managed - to try to dispel claims by his leadership challenger, Jeremy Hunt, that he is avoiding scrutiny.

The Guardian describes it as a "media blitz" and a firm departure from his previous "submarine" tactic of keeping out of the spotlight.

In an excoriating column for the paper, Mr Johnson's former boss at The Telegraph - Max Hastings - accuses him of cowardice, self-obsession and moral bankruptcy. "The Conservative party is about to foist a tasteless joke upon the British people", writes Hastings, "who will not find it funny for long".

Image copyright Hannah McKay/Reuters

The New Statesman website says the former foreign secretary has no choice but to change media strategy - after he declined to answer questions about the late-night altercation with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, that prompted neighbours to call the police.

That refusal, according to Stephen Bush, means "another day of the row being the topic of discussion, as opposed to literally any other subject."

But the Sun says the mudslinging has already gone on for too long - and calls on the Tories to avoid a "juvenile slanging match" as the race for Number Ten intensifies.

Royal makeover

There is anger that almost £2.5m pounds of taxpayers' money has been spent renovating the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new home.

The Mirror says even diehard royalists will blanch at the figure - which jars "in an era when working families are stuck on council waiting lists and distressed folk sleep on the streets".

Richard Kay in the Mail asks whether Harry and Meghan are giving enough back to the public in return, following what he describes as the couple's "near-farcical" measures to keep the birth of their son a secret.

But Richard Palmer in the Express says they are helping to boost the royal coffers, pointing out that their wedding last May led to a boom in paying visitors to Windsor Castle.

Image copyright PA
Image caption Harry and Meghan moved to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor earlier this year

The Telegraph reports on concerns that hygiene myths from the 1990s have led to confusion and dangerous habits among children of that generation.

The Royal Society of Public Health blames the widely-held view at the time that rising allergy rates were the result of over-cleanliness.

Experts acknowledge that people still need to be exposed to "good" bacteria, but say it's vital we practice good hygiene in the home - particularly when preparing and eating food, playing with pets and putting out the bins.

And the Star has details of a house in the Cornish village of St Agnes that's on the market for nearly £250,000 - despite being so dilapidated no-one is allowed to go inside.

Most of Lavender Cottage's interior is missing, while the exterior has been overtaken by a labyrinth of plants and bushes that even covers the roof. The company selling the property admits prospective buyers will need "imagination", but assures them it's an "exciting development opportunity".

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