The Papers: PM’s last-ditch Brexit bid and Joker film outrage

Boris Johnson’s last attempt at shoring up support for his Brexit deal leads many of Monday’s papers, as a frantic few days of negotiations begin.

The Times says Mr Johnson is engaged in a “last-ditch bid” to save the Brexit plan he set out last week. The paper reports the PM has been speaking to EU leaders to seek support, but that one of them, Finland’s Antti Rinne, said Downing Street was in “a big mess”.

The i paper says France and the Irish Republic have united to “frustrate” Mr Johnson, with French President Emmanuel Macron refusing to meet him, and both countries setting a deadline of Friday for the UK to produce new proposals.

The Daily Express says the prime minister was “defiant” when he told President Macron this was the final chance for a deal. The paper says the EU is playing “a dangerous game of chicken” by counting on yet another delay but it says Mr Johnson has made his intent “crystal clear”.

It has all led the Daily Mirror to say a Brexit deal is looking “unlikely”, while the Guardian says the cool French response to Boris Johnson’s latest proposals has “increased the chances of the negotiations imploding within days”. So what happens next? The Daily Telegraph says Mr Johnson is willing to go to the Supreme Court.

Hong Kong violence

The Guardian describes dramatic scenes in Hong Kong over the weekend, saying a city known for civic values has seen escalating brutality and violence.

The Daily Mail leads with strong criticism of the independent police watchdog from a former High Court judge. Sir Richard Henriques says the IOPC watchdog conducted a “flawed” review of the inquiry into false claims about a Westminster sex abuse ring. The IOPC defended its work.

Climate protests

Many of the papers carry warnings about climate protests which are planned for the coming days as part of a so-called “international rebellion”. The Daily Mail says protesters plan to stop the Queen’s Speech and the Daily Telegraph says activists have admitted hospitals could be affected.

The Express says that infuriating working people will not help combat climate change, and it welcomes tough police action. In its editorial, the Telegraph says the limits of free expression are being tested, citing appalling consequences in Hong Kong and in Iraq.

The Guardian carries an exclusive report on its front page on the thousands of people unknowingly included in a government counter-terror database. The paper says everyone referred to the Prevent anti-radicalisation programme has their details included. Campaigners said the development is “utterly chilling” but police chiefs said people can challenge their inclusion.

Joker outrage

The Sun leads on reaction from cinemagoers over the new hit film Joker’s inclusion of music written by disgraced musician Gary Glitter. The paper says Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, is set to make “hundreds of thousands of pounds” from the movie, which stars Joaquin Phoenix, as his song Rock and Roll Part 2 features.

Warner Brothers, the film’s distributor which has heralded Joker’s box office success, did not comment on the story, the Sun adds.

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The Financial Times reports that banking giant HSBC is to shed as many as 10,000 jobs in a worldwide cost-cutting drive. It quotes a source as saying the bank is “finally grasping the nettle” and that highly-paid roles will be mainly affected. HSBC did not comment.

And finally, The Times says that The Lady magazine is to open a school for servants. The 130-year-old publication’s classifieds have always reflected high society’s demands for discreet domestic staff, the paper says. The new courses, the Times adds, will be held in a 19th-century country house in Norfolk.

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