Newspaper headlines: Anger as Met probe impacts Gray partygate inquiry – BBC

By BBC News
Staff

"Anger", "outrage", "confusion" – just some of the words in front page headlines as the papers gauge reactions to the latest delays to Sue Gray's report on alleged lockdown gatherings at Downing Street.
The Times reports Ms Gray was left "infuriated" and "frustrated" when Scotland Yard told her not to publish key findings of her inquiry.
The Guardian says a heavily redacted report is to be published "imminently" but that the intervention by the Metropolitan Police has led some MPs to brand the force a "broken organisation".
The Financial Times homes in on personal criticisms directed at the Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, who it says has been accused of presiding over a "stitch-up" and a "farce".
The Daily Star describes her as "Cressida Baldrick" and jokes that the delays are all part of a Blackadder-style "cunning plan" by Boris Johnson to delay the report's publication.
In its editorial, the Daily Mail calls the episode a "grotesque perversion of common sense" and says that if she is to retrieve any shred of credibility, Dame Cressida should sanction the full publication of Ms Gray's report immediately.
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"Showdown!" is the front page headline of the Daily Express, which says a backbench revolt against the planned increase in National Insurance is intensifying.
In its editorial, the paper says demands for a u-turn on what it calls a "punishing tax hike" will only get louder. It warns that the issue is a "far more serious difficulty for the PM than worrying about stray pieces of cake or a drink with colleagues."
Ministers are being urged to ease the financial burden on households by cutting VAT on gas and electricity bills – according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper says average energy bills are predicted to rise by almost 50% – to £1,900 a year – when the price cap is increased from April.
The Daily Mirror focuses on renewed calls for a windfall tax on the oil and gas giants – claiming that Shell and BP have seen profits soar to £900 a second during the energy crisis.
The paper says the "eye-watering profits" have been "super-charged" by the surging wholesale gas prices, which are causing misery for millions of householders. It says the Shell boss Ben van Beurden is facing "no such anguish" having received £5.2m in pay and perks in 2020.
The Times reports the Health Secretary Sajid Javid is considering nationalising GPs as part of plans to keep more patients out of hospitals. The idea would involve family doctors being employed by hospitals, instead of running their own surgeries.
The paper says sources have insisted there would be no forcible state takeover of GPs, who are likely instead to be given incentives. In a statement to the BBC, the Department of Health denied the plans.
The Daily Express prints a photograph of the Queen on its front page, telling readers she's to move out of Buckingham Palace while multi-million pound refurbishments are carried out.
The paper says it's been decided that she will stay at Windsor Castle during the work – which is scheduled to last ten years – and is to be driven in to London when she's needed for engagements.
"Queen forced to join the dreaded commute!" reads the headline.
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