The Papers: 'Agony for Arsenal' and '5 cops axed' at Kensington Palace

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'Agony for Arsenal' and '5 cops axed' at Kensington Palace6 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleSeveral editions of the papers focus on Arsenal's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday evening, with the Sunday Times captioning a photograph of defender Gabriel Magalhaes with his head in his hands "Agony for Arsenal". The main story for the paper is an interview with former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, in which he says the government should consider cutting employer national insurance contributions to encourage businesses to hire more young people. Similarly, the Sunday Telegraph is dominated by an image of an emotional Gabriel, and reads: "Arsenal's Champions League dream dies".

It leads with a story accusing UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of "watering down" checks on welfare benefits claimants, as new rules come into effect this week which will allow people to receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for four years after their initial assessment, and then a further six years after a review. The paper says claimants face reviews as often as every nine months under the current system. It writes that officials are warning that urgent changes to the welfare assessment system are needed, with the record number of people claiming PIPs costing the British taxpayer £26bn a year.

The Details

Kensington Palace has "banned" five royal protection officers from the premises following a complaint from a female member of staff, according to the Sun on Sunday. Sources tell the paper that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been informed of the decision by the Royal Household, but were not directly involved in the ban. It adds that a Metropolitan Police investigation has been launched into allegations of misogynistic behaviour at the palace.

The Daily Mail focuses on what it is calling a " bias row", reporting that Radio 4's Desert Island Discs has "banned" Reform UK leader Nigel Farage from appearing on the programme. The responded to a request for comment, telling the paper: "We do not ban any individuals from appearing on Desert Island Discs and that includes Mr Farage". "Labour rips itself apart," declares the Observer, along with a composite image built from the faces of prominent figures in the Labour Party.

The Express homes in on Sir Keir's "flagship" trade deal with the European Union, writing that food and drink manufacturers are warning that the new agreement could push up prices even further. The paper says it will require more than 400 UK regulations to be brought into line with EU legislation, and firms will need at least two years to adapt. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has "rejected the plea", it says, and insists the new deal must come into effect by mid-2027.

The front page of the Sunday Mirror suggests a social media ban for children could be announced "within weeks", after it interviewed Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.