Arabic version: قصة ميغان تهيمن على الصفحات الأولى

According to BBC News, newspapers prominently feature the Duchess of Sussex’s response to allegations concerning her estranged father, Thomas Markle. The reports follow claims that images of child sexual abuse allegedly belonging to him were found at his former home in the Philippines. Markle, 82 and based in the US, denies possessing any such images.

The Daily Telegraph says Meghan received a letter in 2018 containing “troubling and disturbing allegations” about her father, and that she was advised not to speak publicly about the matter in case it jeopardised a subsequent investigation. The Daily Mail reports that Scotland Yard was trying to locate the correspondence, while sources stressed the Metropolitan Police never investigated Thomas Markle. The Daily Express says Meghan’s half-brother Thomas Markle Jr reportedly alerted police.

Budget coverage is also widespread before Chancellor John Healey’s statement on Wednesday. Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane told The Times that Prime Minister Andy Burnham should not risk a “Truss-style budget crisis”. He warned against unfunded spending measures, saying they could “crater” the economy, and urged cuts to public spending. Haldane also expressed concern about a “mañana budget” that postpones difficult decisions.

The Financial Times reports that £20bn in additional funding is planned for the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank, with lending expected to begin in 2028. Treasury says the plans could support 100,000 jobs in AI, defence and green energy by 2035. Elsewhere, the i Weekend reports a 15-13 Cabinet divide on rejoining the EU, while the Guardian reports Ofcom’s conclusion that online safety laws have failed to sufficiently protect children.