The Papers: Johnson ‘humiliated’ and Lineker ‘to take pay cut’

A single image dominates most front pages – the photo of Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, gesturing to the empty podium left by Boris Johnson’s decision to pull out of a joint news conference during his visit on Monday.

“Johnson left humiliated as Brexit visit ends in chaos” is the Guardian’s view as it reports that the PM was mocked for avoiding protesters.

The Financial Times captions the photo: “invisible man”, while, online, the choice for the Independent is: “gone missing”.

The Luxembourg Times is also scathing of its British visitor – the headline: “Noisy protest mutes Johnson”. It suggests that the UK prime minister “ducked out” of the event rather than face a hostile crowd ready to boo and jeer him.

But there is sympathy for the prime minister in some coverage. “Le Stitch Up” is the headline in the Daily Mail as it reports that “a baying anti-Brexit crowd” forced Boris Johnson to duck the planned press conference.

“Luxembourg laughs in Johnson’s face” is the caption accompanying the front page photo in the Daily Telegraph, which describes the post-visit briefing as “an EU ambush”.

The Sun keeps its verdict on what it calls a “feeble stunt” to mock the PM brief – with the headline “Luxemberk”.

A “stage-managed anti-Brexit rant by the leader of a tiny tax haven” is the view of the Daily Express. Its conclusion: “No wonder Britain voted to quit the EU.”

Fresh concerns over tensions in the Gulf and the impact on fuel prices make the front pages of several papers following attacks on Saudi oil facilities at the weekend.

The Financial Times says it has spoken to four people briefed on the latest damage assessments who told the paper that it could be months before oil production returned to normal.

The “i” focuses on what it will all mean for motorists at the fuel pumps. It points out that while there may be no immediate impact, because fuel stocks are bought months in advance, a prolonged period for repairs could mean motorists being hit with rises of up to 5p per litre further down the line.

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The Daily Mirror’s front page splashes with what it claims as a Gary Lineker exclusive.

The paper reports that the Match of the Day presenter is in new contract talks with the BBC and has volunteered to have his £1.75m salary – as the paper puts it – “slashed” following recent controversies over the amount paid to talent at the corporation, and the withdrawal of free TV licences for the over-75s.

The former England striker is said to have told a friend: “It’s the right thing to do.”

And there is coverage in several papers on new research on hunger and decision making which gives plenty of food for thought.

“Poor choices made when hungry” is the headline in the ‘i’, as it sets out how scientists from the University of Dundee have found that being hungry might increase the chances of making impulsive choices which favour short term gains – even in non-food related decisions, such as choosing a mortgage.

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