'Starmer accused of Mandelson cover up' and 'Time for Strait talking'

19 Apr 2026, 04:15

Criticism of Downing Street's handling of Lord Mandeslon's appointment as US ambassador remains prominent on Sunday's front pages. "Starmer accused of Mandelson cover-up" is the Sunday Telegraph's lead as it reports that opponents are questioning the PM's defence after it emerged that senior government officials knew of the former US ambassador's failed security vetting weeks before it was made public.

"Starmer's not fit to run the country" says the Mail on Sunday. The paper features Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calling Sir Keir Starmer "weak, lazy and incompetent" and consumed by his own survival over national security.

The Independent has comments from former foreign secretary Sir James Cleverly who says it is "inconceivable" that the PM and his deputy David Lammy were not informed about Lord Mandelson's failed vetting. In its top picture, the paper shows US Apache helicopters patrolling the Strait of Hormuz after reports of ships being attacked following Iran's announcement it was closing the vital waterway a day after its reopening.

Staying with Lord Mandelson, the Sunday Times reports the former US ambassador failed his security vetting due to foreign ties rather than his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Citing leaked documents, the paper says the biggest client of Lord Mandelson's lobbying firm was a company linked to the Chinese military.

It's "time for Strait talking" says the Sunday People as the US and Iran continue to spar over control of the critical shipping route.

There's more criticism levelled at the prime minister, with the Sunday Express saying Sir Keir is being accused of "betraying" Northern Ireland veterans over Labour's plans to repeal the Legacy Act. The controversial clause, which protects former servicemen from prosecution for Troubles-era crimes, had already been found to be unlawful and was opposed by Northern Ireland parties and victims' groups. The paper quotes a former SAS colonel who says veterans are being "pushed to the brink" while the PM "cuddles up to Europe".

The Daily Star focuses on a different crisis affecting British soldiers, who claim they are facing "digestive repercussions" due to the bean and vegetable food packs they have been given.

The Observer's front page previews the story of a man who became addicted to his chatbot, resulting in a psychotic breakdown. It's part of the paper's investigation into how unregulated AI is "causing a new mental health crisis".

Former PM Liz Truss has gone on a ski holiday in Switzerland to "boost EU relations" despite being an "arch-Brexiteer", according to the Sunday Mirror. "Truss is taking the piste" is the paper's headline.

Finally, the Sun spotlights pop star Holly Valance's new romance after splitting with her husband last year.

"Time for Strait talking" is the Sunday People headline, as it leads on Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz again because of a US blockade of its ports. The front of the Sunday Telegraph features a picture of a US Apache helicopter watching over tankers in the waterway. The paper quotes a Wall Street Journal report that the American military has drawn up plans to board and seize Iranian-linked ships in the coming days "in an attempt to force a reopening of the Strait".

Kemi Badenoch's comments about the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's handling of the Lord Mandelson vetting row make the front page of The Mail on Sunday. "Starmer's not fit to run the country", is its headline. The Conservative leader writes that Sir Keir is "taking the public for fools" with his explanations about the vetting. A Labour source is quoted as saying "no one... is more lazy or unfit for office than Kemi Badenoch".

"An explosive debate", is what the Observer is expecting when the prime minister appears before the Commons on Monday to give his account of the vetting row. The paper says he will be up against political rivals "looking to make hay" ahead of next month's elections. The Sunday Times editorial says an "unreserved apology" is required from Sir Keir "if he has any hope of drawing a line under this miserable affair".

The Sun's leader suggests "the vultures are circling" around the PM already, a reference to the paper's story about what it calls a "secret summit" held by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham on Friday night. The Sun says the "bombshell revelation" will "fuel rumours" that they are hatching a plot that could see Sir Keir face a leadership challenge within weeks. Allies of the pair insist they are simply friends who talk regularly.

The composer, Lord Lloyd Webber, has told the Sunday Times he is a "recovering alcoholic". He says that he decided he needed help 16 months ago and has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the UK and Switzerland. The peer is quoted as saying his family were in a "desperate state", with his wife reportedly "feeling she couldn't go on".

The Sunday Express reports that retired special forces personnel have been pushed to the brink of suicide because of the persecution of Northern Ireland veterans. A retired SAS colonel, David White, has accused the prime minister of appeasing the Irish government by repealing the Legacy Act - legislation that was designed to protect against vexatious prosecutions. The government says its commitment to veterans is "unshakable".

"Going downhill, Liz?" asks the Sunday Mirror, as it covers a trip by the former prime minister Liz Truss to the Swiss ski resort of Davos. She is described by the Mirror as "shameless" because the event is about building bridges with the EU and Truss was an arch-Brexiteer. Her spokesperson has declined to comment. The paper though, suggests, she is taking "the piste".