What the papers say – January 12
Consternation about lockdown measures – stoked by the Prime Minister’s bicycle outing in London – features prominently in Tuesday’s papers.
Police are set for a clash with politicians for refusing to enforce mask wearing in supermarkets, according to The Guardian, which also says the PM is under scrutiny for a bicycle trip he took during lockdown.
Guardian front page, Tuesday 11 January 2021: Police defy ministers as clamour grows for new Covid restrictions pic.twitter.com/aN4PHGo2AT
— The Guardian (@guardian) January 11, 2021
The Daily Mirror also reports on Boris Johnson’s bike ride across London, and says it has added to confusion about lockdown rules at a crucial time when the Government is threatening tougher measures.
Tomorrow's front page: Just get a grip https://t.co/ddWcbj5u6o#TomorrowsPaperTodaypic.twitter.com/flJ6Fqyk4t
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) January 11, 2021
And the Daily Star takes a familiar approach, depicting Mr Johnson as a clown riding a tiny bike and asking “Why is Bozo out on his bike seven miles from Downing Street?”
Tomorrow's front page: 'Honk! Honk!' https://t.co/GYqwzA6JM4#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/DBo3SAqqM3
— Daily Star (@dailystar) January 11, 2021
Meanwhile, The Times leads on a warning from Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick that people ignoring lockdown rules will be challenged and fined.
Police vow to fine the lockdown refuseniks#tomorrowspaperstoday@hendopolispic.twitter.com/BdsN8sIBfT
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) January 11, 2021
The Daily Telegraph and the i say the NHS might offer Covid vaccinations around the clock in the battle to have the nation immunised as quickly as possible.
Tomorrow’s Telegraph front page: “Pressure on NHS for Covid vaccinations round the clock”
Read here: https://t.co/PkjKJAXfgL#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/ub311OeHc9
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 11, 2021
Tuesday's front page: 24/7 plan to meet target on vaccines #TomorrowsPaperTodaypic.twitter.com/4FkEezJbMc
— i newspaper (@theipaper) January 11, 2021
Metro evokes memories of another war with its headline of “Careless talk costs lives” warning of the Covid perils of stopping for a chat.
Tuesday's front pageCARELESS TALKCOSTS LIVES#tomorrowspaperstoday#BBCPapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/CQbtLYoPgh
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) January 11, 2021
And the Daily Mail ponders whether Britain is now heading for the three-metre rule on social distancing.
MAIL: Are we headed for the 3M rule? #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/bAsVq3bMdg
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 11, 2021
Elsewhere, the Daily Express cheers Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s forecast of a “Great British summer” as the mass vaccination programme begins.
Tomorrow's front page: ''Great British summer' on way…let's not blow it!'https://t.co/HHiruDrUPR#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/3CV5i4k7UM
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) January 11, 2021
The Sun echoes that upbeat message reporting the “Jabs Army” is “on the march”.
THE SUN: On the March #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/8j7Gti8sui
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 11, 2021
And in other news, Donald Trump has found an unlikely ally in German chancellor Angela Merkel, who says his Twitter ban is a breach of free speech, the Financial Times reports.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Tuesday 12 January https://t.co/6lgc5LaHsBpic.twitter.com/Nz6g5zkF66
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) January 11, 2021