'Scott Mills sacked by BBC' and 'Starmer's 48-hour ultimatum'

21 hours ago

Former BBC radio presenter Scott Mills appears on most of Tuesday's papers, after he was sacked following allegations about his personal conduct. The Guardian says Mills hosted "Britain's most popular breakfast show", but was "blindsided" by the decision to take him off air last Tuesday. Donald Trump's latest threats against Iran also feature on the Guardian's front page; the president has said he will "obliterate" Iran's power stations and water plants if Tehran does not agree to peace terms "shortly". Iran remains "defiant", the paper notes.

The headline on the front page of the Guardian reads: “Trump threat to 'obliterate' all Iranian power plants”. — Former BBC radio presenter Scott Mills appears on most of Tuesday's papers, after he was sacked following allegations about his personal conduct. The Guardian says Mills hosted "Britain's most popular breakfast show", but was "blindsided" by the decision to take him off air last Tuesday. Donald Trump's latest threats against Iran also feature on the Guardian's front page; the president has said he will "obliterate" Iran's power stations and water plants if Tehran does not agree to peace terms "shortly". Iran remains "defiant", the paper notes.

"Sacked Mills in 2016 cop probe" declares the Mirror, which first reported Mills' departure from Radio 2. The paper says it understands the sacking was related to a "historical allegation". The BBC has not given any further details, but says only "while we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC".

The headline on the front page of the Mirror reads: "Sacked Mills in 2016 cop probe". — "Sacked Mills in 2016 cop probe" declares the Mirror, which first reported Mills' departure from Radio 2. The paper says it understands the sacking was related to a "historical allegation". The BBC has not given any further details, but says only "while we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC".

A photo of Mills smiling is on the front page of the Sun, which calls the sacking a "crisis" for the BBC.

The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: "Mills crisis for the BBC". — A photo of Mills smiling is on the front page of the Sun, which calls the sacking a "crisis" for the BBC.

The Daily Mail takes a similar approach, reporting Radio 2 colleagues are "in shock" over Mills' departure.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Mail reads: "BBC crisis as another scandal-hit presenter is sacked". — The Daily Mail takes a similar approach, reporting Radio 2 colleagues are "in shock" over Mills' departure.

The headline on the front page of the Star reads: "Mills in sex probe". — "Mills in sex probe", writes the Star.

Several papers feature the planned strike for resident doctors next week, with the Telegraph reporting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a "48-hour ultimatum" to those intending to be part of the industrial action. Sir Keir is urging resident doctors to reconsider, and the paper says he will withdraw an offer to provide at least 4,000 new specialty training posts if the six-day strike goes ahead.

The headline on the front page of the Telegraph reads: “Starmer's 48-hour ultimatum to doctors”. — Several papers feature the planned strike for resident doctors next week, with the Telegraph reporting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a "48-hour ultimatum" to those intending to be part of the industrial action. Sir Keir is urging resident doctors to reconsider, and the paper says he will withdraw an offer to provide at least 4,000 new specialty training posts if the six-day strike goes ahead.

"War brings in £20m a day extra in energy taxes" reads a Times analysis, which says the government is making approximately £20m a day in additional revenue through levies and taxes linked to the price of oil and gas. Calling it a "windfall" for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the paper says the additional income has prompted calls for ministers to use the cash to shield motorists and homeowners from the spiralling cost of energy.

The headline on the front page of the Times reads: “War brings in £20m a day extra in energy taxes”. — "War brings in £20m a day extra in energy taxes" reads a Times analysis, which says the government is making approximately £20m a day in additional revenue through levies and taxes linked to the price of oil and gas. Calling it a "windfall" for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the paper says the additional income has prompted calls for ministers to use the cash to shield motorists and homeowners from the spiralling cost of energy.

Rising fuel costs are the top story for the i Paper, which reports that Sir Keir is urging business leaders to "help limit fallout" from the war with Iran. The prime minister has said that the public wants action on food prices, petrol and energy, according to the paper, which says he has met with fuel executives to discuss "contingency plans" for lower supplies of diesel and jet fuel.

The headline on the front page of the i Paper reads: “PM meets UK fuel bosses as prices rise at the pumps”. — Rising fuel costs are the top story for the i Paper, which reports that Sir Keir is urging business leaders to "help limit fallout" from the war with Iran. The prime minister has said that the public wants action on food prices, petrol and energy, according to the paper, which says he has met with fuel executives to discuss "contingency plans" for lower supplies of diesel and jet fuel.

The Express leads with a similar report, noting that the AA's Edmund King has warned Sir Keir that the industry "needs help now". The cost of diesel reached its highest level since December 2022 on Monday, the paper says.

The headline on the front page of the Express reads: “Labour urged to help Britain's drivers now”. — The Express leads with a similar report, noting that the AA's Edmund King has warned Sir Keir that the industry "needs help now". The cost of diesel reached its highest level since December 2022 on Monday, the paper says.

An AI start-up in France has raised $830m (£630m) in its "debut debt financing" to support the building of Nvidia-powered data centres across Europe, according to the Financial Times. The paper says that tech companies are turning to debt to fund the construction of data centres at an "unprecedented" rate.

The headline on the front page of the Financial Times reads: “Mistral raises $830m to build AI data centres in drive for digital 'sovereignty'”. — An AI start-up in France has raised $830m (£630m) in its "debut debt financing" to support the building of Nvidia-powered data centres across Europe, according to the Financial Times. The paper says that tech companies are turning to debt to fund the construction of data centres at an "unprecedented" rate.

"Tenant blew up home after £80 rent rise" says the Metro, which writes that a man was killed after sparking a huge explosion after his rent was increased. The man told his friend that "I'm going to blow the house up", the paper reports.

The headline on the front page of the Metro reads: “Tenant blew up home after £80 rent rise”. — "Tenant blew up home after £80 rent rise" says the Metro, which writes that a man was killed after sparking a huge explosion after his rent was increased. The man told his friend that "I'm going to blow the house up", the paper reports.

The Daily Mirror has further claims about the sacking of the Radio 2 breakfast show presenter, Scott Mills. "Mills crisis for the BBC", is the Sun's headline. The paper says corporation staff were left "stunned" as the news of his departure broke. According to the Daily Mail, it is believed that his sacking, announced with what has been described as "a curt public statement" was one of the final acts of the BBC director general, Tim Davie, who reportedly wanted to "clear the decks" before leaving his job on Thursday.

The Daily Star says bookmakers believe Gary Davies is the favourite to take over from Scott Mills as permanent host of the Radio 2 breakfast show. He is described as "the natural safe pair of hands". The Daily Mail also name checks Vernon Kay, Sara Cox, Greg James, Trevor Nelson and Rylan Clark. "Could Chris Evans be tempted by an emotional return", asks the Daily Telegraph - adding "stranger things have happened".

The Times reports that the Chancellor is in line for a multi-billion pound tax windfall as the war in the Middle East drives up energy prices. Analysis by the paper suggests the government is making about £20m a day in additional revenue through levies and taxes linked to the price of oil and gas. Government sources have warned that any extra funds generated could be offset by the cost of borrowing.

"Labour urged to help Britain's drivers now", is the headline in the Daily Express. The AA has warned the prime minister not to delay. The i Paper leads on his No 10 summit with business leaders, in which he urged them to limit the fallout from the Iran war.

"There are still 48 hours left to choose a better path", is the message in the Times from Sir Keir Starmer to resident doctors in England ahead of next week's strike. The Daily Telegraph describes his remarks as an "ultimatum" and "direct threat" to those considering walking out. But the paper also points out his "tough stance" threatens to open a rift with the Labour left which has supported NHS strikes in the past.