What the papers say – September 21

A range of stories feature across the front pages.

What the papers say (PA) (PA Archive)

The papers on Saturday are led by the Prime Minister and his most senior ministers no longer accepting donations to pay for their clothes.

The Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph report the move comes after a row about Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer’s acceptance of gifts, including clothing, from prominent Labour donor and peer Lord Alli.

A new poll shows the Prime Minister’s popularity has plunged 26 points amid the row, according to the Daily Mail.

The Daily Mirror leads with a press conference hearing how there was a “systematic failure of corporate responsibility” in the Mohamed Al Fayed case, with lawyers labelling the late billionaire a “monster”. Five women alleged they had been raped by Mr Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, with a number of others alleging sexual misconduct.

Elsewhere, the i reports Brussels is set to tell the Government young people aged 18 to 30 should get four-year visas allowing them to live in the UK in return for a softer Brexit trade deal.

The Government’s decision to scrap winter fuel payments will affect 86% of pensioners already living in poverty, according to the Daily Express.

The Financial Times reports public debt hit 100% of GDP for the first time since the 1960s on Friday.

And the Daily Star says a brain surgeon who fell into a week-long coma has claimed heaven smells like KFC.