Russia, Ireland's predicted economic growth and new legislation on employees' right to request to work from home are some of the national newspaper's front page topics for Wednesday.
The Irish Times reports 'Remote workers may face self-assessment issues' following Tánaiste Leo Varadkar's confirmation that employers will have 13 grounds to refuse an employee's request to work emoted under new legislation unveiled on Tuesday.
The Irish Examiner covers the plans of Irish fishermen, who said they will peacefully protest against Russia's planned military exercises, due to take place next month off the southwest coast. On the same topic, the Irish Daily Star leads 'Who do you think you are codding Mr Putin', in reference to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The Examiner also leads with an image of Louth woman, Lisa Smith, whose trial in the Special Criminal Court continues on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s front page pic.twitter.com/TW2cnmrHt4
— Irish Daily Star (@IsFearrAnStar) January 26, 2022
Meanwhile, The Echo reports over 18,000 children in the Cork and Kerry region are awaiting therapies according to figures from the HSE.
The Irish Sun reads 'No woman should have to suffer like Marioara', speaking to the brother of murdered teenager, Marioara Rostas, about a campaign to end violence against women.
While the Irish Daily Mail also covers the planned Russian military drills, the newspaper's lead story covers newly released figures from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI), showing the value of mortgage drawdowns in 2021 was the highest amount recorded since 2008.
In Britain, Wednesday’s papers all carry the looming deadline for Sue Gray to deliver the findings of her investigation into alleged lockdown parties – just as police launch a criminal investigation into Downing Street’s possible breaches of Covid laws.
The Guardian writes British prime minister Boris Johnson is bracing for “the most perilous 48 hours of his premiership, with exasperated Conservative MPs due to see an official report into Downing Street parties that has now triggered a criminal inquiry”.
Guardian front page, Wednesday 26 January 2022 - PM's peril: report looms as police step in over parties pic.twitter.com/X7ljuX4l89
— The Guardian (@guardian) January 25, 2022
The Daily Mirror splashes with the headline “Number’s up, PM” and a photo of the front door of No 10.
Tomorrow’s front page: Number's up, PM #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/Z4Wa8boKj5 pic.twitter.com/Clhn8DtN0n
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) January 25, 2022
The Sun describes Downing Street as a “crime scene” as police probe into the “Partygate scandal”.
THE SUN: ‘Ello’Ello ‘Ello Bojo! #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/tGACP8mB7o
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2022
The Daily Star claims Ms Gray has been sent photos of “Bozo next to wine bottles at No10”.
Tomorrow's front page: Plonker!#tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/rXAiQSzoD8 pic.twitter.com/Np9ZQaDvZl
— Daily Star (@dailystar) January 25, 2022
“PM in peril as police called in”, i declares, adding that Mr Johnson “does not believe” he has broken law.
Wednesday's front page: PM in peril as police called in#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/2l5Os6ciSf
— i newspaper (@theipaper) January 25, 2022
The Downing Street parties crossed the threshold for a “serious and flagrant” breach of lockdown rules, according to a statement from Scotland Yard by The Times.
TIMES: @BorisJohnson faces police interview over parties #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/v2V1wetIyj
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2022
The Financial Times carries a quote from an unnamed Tory MP who told the paper: “(Mr Johnson) believes he’ll get out of this. His optimism is more than skin deep.”
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Wednesday 26 January https://t.co/fp6NX1Cwd0 pic.twitter.com/2G4mBXoAkj
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) January 25, 2022
The Independent cites critics of Mr Johnson who expect Ms Gray’s report to be “damning” enough to trigger 54 letters of no confidence.
INDEPENDENT: Now police investigate Downing Street parties #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/vfikBU4WHg
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 25, 2022
The Daily Express and Metro similarly carry the announcement from Scotland Yard, with the latter quipping: “You’ve had your parties, now here is the bill”.
Front page: Yes PM, we all want 'line drawn' under partygate. #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/iEoR7q1o9g
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) January 25, 2022
Wednesday's front page:
NOW HERE IS THE BILL#TomorrowsPapersToday #BBCPapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/qflt1YZXem— Metro US (@MetroUS) January 25, 2022
As the UK braces for the release of Ms Gray’s investigation, Mr Johnson is being pressured to publish it in full – with Scotland Yard clearing the way for its release, according to The Daily Telegraph.
🗞️The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
'Pressure on Johnson to release full Gray report'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/vmQtTXhGss— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 25, 2022
The Daily Mail takes a slightly different line on the police probe revelations, declaring Britain has “lost all sense of proportion” for investigating partygate while Russian leader Vladimir Putin “taunts (the) West with terrifying military displays”.
Wednesday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/g7IyQb93bZ
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) January 25, 2022
