Further scrutiny on Prime Minister Boris Johnson over “sleaze” and his reported comments on the Covid dead are splashed across the front pages.
The Times reports Mr Johnson told aides he would rather let coronavirus “rip” than impose a second lockdown as he feared the economic impact of reimposing restrictions, and described lockdowns as “mad”.
Tuesday’s TIMES: “Johnson ‘said he would let Covid rip’ in lockdown row” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/6w0mL2mlHY
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) April 26, 2021
The Guardian carries a similar story, the paper reporting Conservative insiders added weight to claims Mr Johnson said he would rather see bodies pile up than reintroduce lockdown.
Guardian front page, Tuesday 27 April 2021: Pressure on Johnson after claim of slur on Covid dead pic.twitter.com/sO7N6m9bh6
— The Guardian (@guardian) April 26, 2021
The Daily Mirror says grieving families have called Mr Johnson “callous” over his alleged remarks.
Tuesday's front page: Not just bodies, Boris we loved them. #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/V10cQ8oesI pic.twitter.com/T0jwLSLBdr
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) April 26, 2021
Mr Johnson’s denial at making the “pile of bodies” slur leads the Daily Express and Daily Star, while The Daily Telegraph says Mr Johnson will tell his cabinet to “focus on the public’s priorities” as he seeks to move past the debate.
Tomorrow's front page: Boris denies 'Let bodies pile high' outburst. #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/9d97vQ5m7l
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) April 26, 2021
Tomorrow's front page: 'My pants are NOT on fire..'https://t.co/OaWpqJAzpX#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/JJnn3FIvsY
— Daily Star (@dailystar) April 26, 2021
“Boris on the ropes” is the Daily Mail‘s headline, reporting on the “bodies” comment, as well as other questions mounting over a “string of controversies”, including the refurbishment of the redecoration of the Prime Mininster’s flat and the “chatty rat” leak enquiry.
Tuesday's @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/g0HfmF3R7w
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) April 26, 2021
Metro writes of a “slurry of sleaze”, the paper leading on Labour’s response to the Number 10 refurbishment and “bodies” comment.
Tuesday's front page:
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) April 26, 2021
SLURRY OF SLEAZE#tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/nTimPnXh5P
The Sun draws parallels between the “chatty rat” enquiry and Line of Duty, with the paper saying MI5 are “baffled” over the identity of the person who leaked details of England’s second lockdown.
Tomorrow's front page: 'PM hits back over Cummings slur 'fibs'' https://t.co/txK9JWQHHM pic.twitter.com/fxoWVEtE9F
— The Sun (@TheSun) April 26, 2021
Mr Johnson’s denial at making the “bodies” comment failed to kill the controversy, reports The Independent.
Tuesday’s INDEPENDENT Digital: “Johnson hits back at leaks” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Hz5mZKaeqf
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) April 26, 2021
While the i says the PM is “tainted by sleaze” in the eyes of voters.
Tuesday's front page: PM tainted by sleaze, say voters#TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/CEVyE5pRKD pic.twitter.com/sCMiZ1SJQV
— i newspaper (@theipaper) April 26, 2021
Related: PM said he would rather let Covid ‘rip’ than lock down, in latest allegation