Newspaper headlines: ‘Complete failure to protect babies’ and ‘Sterling mess’

Most of the front pages highlight the finding of an inquiry that some of the babies killed by the former nurse Lucy Letby could have been saved if consultants and hospital management had acted after concerns were first raised.

The Daily Mirror, external describes the report as “damning”. The Daily Express, external says cot cameras will now be used to protect babies in neonatal units.

The Daily Telegraph, external leads with government proposals to give mayors the power to oversee water companies in England and Wales, in line with Andy Burnham’s plans to increase state control of utilities.

The paper says there’ll be nine new regional bodies tasked with setting company objectives, and holding bosses to account over bills, shortages and sewage discharges.

The Times, external reports that the government is considering sending military support to Saudi Arabia to counter attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

A defence source says a small team of military advisers was sent to Riyadh this week in response to a Saudi request.

The Guardian, external says the Telegraph and Reform UK are facing accusations of undermining journalism and eroding trust, after Nigel Farage’s party gave the newspaper stories that were about to be broken by other outlets.

The Telegraph published the details of two £36m donations to Reform shortly after The Sunday Times approached the party for a comment about the story. Neither Reform nor the Telegraph has commented.

“Russian spies recruiting UK teenagers” is the front page headline in the i Paper., external The paper say analysis by the think-tank The Institute for Strategic Dialogue has found that Moscow is recruiting young British people willing to carry out acts of violence.

They are approached in online groups and offered money, guns and training on making explosives and poisons. The i Paper says at least two attacks have already taken place in connection with one of the groups.

The Daily Mail, external says several copies of a new book by Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, have been stolen from a lorry in the Netherlands.

The paper describes the book as explosive and says theories about who broke into the lorry range from a gang of opportunistic thieves to a misguided but highly informed supporter of the Royal Family.