Newspaper Round Up: 2nd of August 2020
A Conservative MP has been questioned by police following allegations of rape and sexual assault, the Mail on Sunday reports. The paper says the former minister, who has not been named, is accused of assaulting a Commons researcher and has been questioned by police at a London station.
The Sunday Times leads with a report that a judge has ordered Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to explain why evidence that a rogue SAS unit "executed" Afghan civilians was withheld from a High Court case. The paper says the special forces regiment is accused of covering up war crimes, as serious concerns have been expressed about the killings of 22 people in 11 night raids. The Times also carries the report that a Tory MP has been arrested following allegations of rape and sexual assault.
The prime minister has asked officials to prepare a blueprint of possible measures that could help to avoid shutting down the economy for a second time, the Sunday Telegraph reports. Enhanced shielding, stricter local measures and imposing a city-wide lockdown in London if infection numbers rise are among the proposals. Meanwhile, new homes, hospitals, schools, shops and offices will be given an "automatic green light" under new proposals to overhaul the planning system, the paper reports.
Sunday Mirror
"Stop this chaos," is the headline on the front of the Sunday Mirror, with the paper reporting that Boris Johnson is under pressure to "get a grip" on the government's "chaotic" handling of the pandemic. "Transparency and clarity are key to public trust. We're not getting it," Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran tells the paper.
Sunday Express
"Virus fears put lives back on hold," is the headline leading the Sunday Express. Millions of people have said they will not go away this year due to concerns around coronavirus, the paper says. Those living in popular UK destinations are also keen to stay inside in case tourists bring the infection with them, it adds.