'TV industry must tackle abuse' and Cameron tells PM 'Don't rejoin the EU'
Many papers continue to lead on the fallout from the investigation by the Guardian and ITV News, in which David Walliams was accused by several women of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour and abusing his position. Walliams has denied the allegations. According to the Guardian, ministers have warned the entertainment industry that it must bring in better protections for women and children, or face a "crackdown". Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to meet leaders in the industry next week, it reports.
The Times reports on the response from female comedians, who it says have "condemned" the use of non-disclosure agreements to protect famous men. It says comedian Lucy Beaumont is among those calling for better safeguarding, after she revealed that she had given information to journalists that were investigating the allegations against Walliams.
"Another mystery star bids to block claims" declares the Metro. It reports that a second celebrity has been granted a legal order to stop allegations of sexual misconduct being reported. Journalist Justine Smith has said the star is facing claims by "multiple, multiple victims".
Sources have told the Sun that Walliams "window shopped" teenage girls on Britain's Got Talent, inviting them back to his dressing room after giving them free tickets. Walliams has told ITV News and the Guardian that he is "not a sexual predator" and had not "broken the law".
"Even Cameron tells PM: Don't rejoin the EU" reads the Daily Mail's headline, after the former prime minister cautioned Andy Burnham against "triggering another decade-long debate about whether we should be in or out" in an interview with Bloomberg. His warning comes as the prime minister prepares to "sell his Brexit betrayal", according to the paper, at a gathering on European leaders in Dublin on Thursday.
Similarly, the Telegraph carries a series of quotes from Lord Cameron's interview, under the headline "Cameron warns Burnham not to rejoin the UK". The paper's main story focuses on Special Air Services soldiers, who it says are "reluctant" to carry out missions where they may have to "shoot people", due to fears they will be accused of war crimes. A source told the paper that SAS forces feel "permanently and constantly scrutinised, without reprieve" amid an ongoing Afghanistan inquiry into the elite unit.
The Independent leads on a warning from a former Burnham aide, who has said Britain is facing an economic "heart attack". Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane has penned a piece for the paper that criticises what he says is a "negligent" fiscal policy, comparing Burnham to a "reckless" doctor who should be "struck off".
The Financial Times turns its attention across the pond, writing that Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin is "poised to lead" US congressional investigations into President Donald Trump. Raskin has vowed to expose an "avalanche of corruption", the paper reports, but adds that he has said his "overriding priority" will be to restore the "rule of law and constitutional government".
The Princess of Wales is pictured front and centre of the Daily Express, alongside a quote: "Sanctuary in nature helped me to recover". The Duchess of Cornwall has detailed how the "great outdoors" helped get her through "good and bad days" as she recovered from cancer.
"Not even a bed for an OAP with cancer" reads the Mirror, reporting on "corridor care" in NHS hospitals. It says that a woman battling cancer, Pam Smith, was forced to await treatment in a "storeroom for 48 hours".
The Daily Star says Wayne Rooney plans to get through I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! by sleeping, after he was announced as a cast member in the next series of the television programme.
