What the papers say – June 19
The Tory leadership contenders dominate the papers on Wednesday after they went head-to-head in another TV debate.
The Guardian says Boris Johnson – who dodged the first televised debate on Sunday – came under pressure on issues from Islamophobia to his plan to cut taxes for higher earners.
The Guardian front page, Wednesday 19 June 2019: Johnson defensive and evasive but remains favourite for No 10 pic.twitter.com/eLE5EhR0K7
— The Guardian (@guardian) June 18, 2019
It was his first sustained scrutiny in the leadership race, The Times reports, with the paper adding that Mr Johnson faced questions over the strength of his pledges on Brexit and taxes.
Tomorrow's front page : "Tory leadership rivals raise the heat on Johnson"
Read more here : https://t.co/HQJ5YN7s2v#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/5PCkbQORPR
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) June 18, 2019
The i claims the former foreign secretary emerged from the debate unscathed and cemented his status as the contest front-runner.
Wednesday's front page: Tory rivals can't knock Boris Johnson off his perch as he faces first debate #tomorrowspaperstoday#bbcpapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/8wIpBfWBNR
— i newspaper (@theipaper) June 18, 2019
The Daily Telegraph brands the debate “The Boris and Rory show”, reporting that Mr Johnson and Rory Stewart became the key players in the race for Number 10.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'The Boris and Rory show' #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/fSMxadJfqm
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 18, 2019
But the Daily Express declares there was “no clear winner”, and highlights comments from Mr Johnson that the UK must leave the EU on October 31 to avoid a “catastrophic loss of confidence in politics”.
Tomorrow's @Daily_Express#frontpage– Frontrunner Boris Johnson survives chaotic TV #debate but warns it's #Brexit or catastrophe #Leadersdebate – John Lennon unseen: The secret behind his favourite Beatles hit – Free £1 online bet at #RoyalAscot#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/J2So76Xzja
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) June 18, 2019
The Daily Mirror calls the debate a “shambles” and says none of the contenders was able to answer the big questions.
Tomorrow's front page: Our next PM? What a joke…#tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/z39jPhiDEUpic.twitter.com/PyO7bOvOHe
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 18, 2019
In other news, both the Daily Mail and The Sun lead on an incident involving the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s official convoy.
Wednesday’s @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/Y0POFyBGYa
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) June 18, 2019
Tomorrow's front page: A widow of 83 was critical in hospital after she was knocked down by a police motorbike escorting William and Kate https://t.co/3KTFR0uwENpic.twitter.com/vs8CAAqDP8
— The Sun (@TheSun) June 18, 2019
The Daily Star reports that Jeremy Kyle dodged a grilling from MPs concerned by the death of a show guest.
Tomorrow's @Daily_Star front page
– #JeremyKyle the coward as star dodges MPs' grilling over show suicide– #LoveIsland 's #Lucie a loser in love– What's the Tory Morning Glory!– Free £1 bet at #RoyalAscot#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/FHkjPlzuAt
— Daily Star (@Daily_Star) June 18, 2019
And the Financial Times reports that the UK’s financial watchdog has opened a formal investigation into the freezing of Neil Woodford’s flagship fund.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition, Wednesday June 19 https://t.co/2oi75d9mBJpic.twitter.com/BZ0A8SpCck
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) June 18, 2019