What the papers say – September 22
Theresa May’s defiant challenge to EU leaders over their rejection of her Brexit blueprint leads most papers on Saturday.
The Prime Minister demanded that Britain is shown respect in the negotiations and warned that an “impasse” over the Irish border and trade had to be overcome.
The Times says the PM has taken the UK to the brink of no-deal by dismissing the EU’s offer as a “bad deal”.
Tomorrow's front page: Defiant May raises stakes with no-deal threat to EU #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/AlKaMTnbkx
— The Times of London (@thetimes) September 21, 2018
The PM froze talks until EU leaders make a new offer and insisted the ball is in their court, The Sun reports.
Tomorrow's front page: Furious PM freezes talks with Brussels https://t.co/vVul4XxdJ6pic.twitter.com/pqBlON4ipb
— The Sun (@TheSun) September 21, 2018
The Daily Mail describes Mrs May’s response as “steely” after she was “humiliated” by her European counterparts in Salzburg.
Saturday's @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/HgrKOPKfpq
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) September 21, 2018
The Daily Express calls the 27 other leaders “self-serving” and reports that a poll showed 81% of readers backed her stance.
Saturday’s Daily EXPRESS: “May’s Finest Hour” #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/VTgr0d9jAM
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 21, 2018
However the Daily Telegraph reports that the PM is facing a showdown with her Cabinet, who will call for a “Plan B”.
Saturday’s Daily TELEGRAPH: “Ministers demand ‘Plan B’ from May” #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/A65pO0BEjB
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 21, 2018
The Financial Times says the pound suffered its biggest one-day fall in 15 months as Mrs May gave her speech in Downing Street, reporting that hopes of a favourable Brexit outcome have been “punctured”.
Just published: front page of FT Weekend, UK edition, Saturday 22 September https://t.co/okchaxFe2gpic.twitter.com/cmCZRpVbma
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) September 21, 2018
The i says Brexiteer MPs were placated by her tough stance, but still plan on staging a “mutiny” over her so-called Chequers plan in the Commons.
i Weekend: “May tells EU: I’m not for turning” #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/7F0iturPvk
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 21, 2018
And The Guardian says that, despite the “heated rhetoric”, EU officials are drawing up a counter-proposal which is likely to be put forward in early October.
Saturday’s GUARDIAN: “ ‘I have treated the EU with nothing but respect. The UK expects the same’ “ #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/4hcQKWs8Qn
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 21, 2018
In other news, the Daily Mirror leads with the story of an acid attack victim who says she was talked out of suicide by Strictly star Katie Piper.
Tomorrow’s front page: Strictly Katie saved my life#tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/pDdrcVaE9npic.twitter.com/mimMRInqnQ
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) September 21, 2018
And The Independent reports on plans to train the public to be able to give first aid in the event of a terror attack.
Saturday’s INDEPENDENT Digital: “We need public to treat terror victims, say police” #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/sPvAcMprrb
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 21, 2018