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Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025

Newspaper headlines: Rishi Sunak on Brexit deal and 'Tory anger over Charles'

Newspaper headlines: Rishi Sunak on Brexit deal and 'Tory anger over Charles'

Many of Sunday's papers look at Rishi Sunak's negotiations with Brussels over a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.

The ongoing negotiations over a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland is featured in many of Sunday's papers. In its lead story, the Sunday Telegraph says Rishi Sunak is set to ditch Boris Johnson's NI Protocol Bill, which gives the UK government the power to rip up parts of the current arrangement with the EU, as part of his new deal with Brussels. Writing for the paper, Mr Sunak says the Bill was always a "last resort".



And in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Sunak says the Brexit deal will finally "get the job done", despite Boris Johnson and other critics claiming the agreement risks "civil war". In an appeal to the eurosceptics in his party, the PM tells the paper the deal is not a threat to Brexit but about making sure "Brexit works in every part of the United Kingdom".



But the Mail on Sunday says tensions are growing within Mr Sunak's party over the talks, with some senior Tories accusing Downing Street of using King Charles to "schmooze" EU nations while the PM is negotiating the NI Protocol with Brussels.



One in 100 police officers in England and Wales faced criminal charges in last year, figures obtained by the Observer suggest. An investigation by the paper found the Police Federation received more than 1,300 claims for legal support from members facing criminal charges last year.



The Sunday Mirror features a plea from an 11 year old Ukrainian boy to Mr Sunak, asking to be reunited with his dad who is working in England. The paper says the boy and his mother have been offered accommodation in the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, but their case is among thousands caught up in Home Office Red Tape.



The Sunday Express reveals details of a government crackdown on migrant lawyers suspected of "stringing out" asylum claims to maximise their own earnings.


"What the hell?!" the Daily Star Sunday asks, as it reports that devil worshippers have "gone woke" in a bid to appear more family friendly. Satanists have changed their logo and are holding bake off contests as part of their "cuddly makeover", the paper says.

"I'm the PM who will get Brexit done" is the Sunday Times' headline. It reports that Mr Sunak is prepared to take on eurosceptics in his party and unveil a new deal with the EU on post-Brexit trading rules for Northern Ireland - with or without the explicit endorsement of the Democratic Unionist Party.

In what it describes as a snub, the Sunday Telegraph says Mr Sunak is poised to scrap Boris Johnson's Northern Ireland Protocol Bill - which was designed to give the government power to rip up parts of the protocol. Writing for the paper, Mr Sunak says the Bill was always a "last resort". The paper says he believes the legislation is no longer necessary as a bargaining chip. It adds that's he's facing a revolt - and the Northern Ireland minister and prominent Brexiteer, Steve Baker, is on 'resignation watch' after being frozen out of negotiations.

Mr Sunak has also written an article for The Sun, where he argues the protocol doesn't work - and he is determined to deliver.


The Mail on Sunday says Rishi Sunak has been accused by some senior Tories of entangling the King in what it calls "toxic Brexit politics", by sending him on a forthcoming tour - his first as monarch - to, as the paper puts it, "schmooze" EU nations. It says the King's visit to Berlin and Paris is being seen as a charm offensive as the prime minister negotiates with Brussels. Its editorial suggests: "Negotiate with the EU in haste, Rishi - and repent at your leisure."

The Observer leads on a report that one in 100 police officers in England and Wales faced criminal charges last year. An investigation by the paper found the Police Federation received more than 1,300 claims for legal support from members facing criminal charges in 2022.

The Sunday Express reports on a government crackdown on lawyers representing asylum seekers. Using the phrase 'activist lawyers', it says several firms are being monitored for creating work for themselves. The President of the Law Society is quoted, responding that "law firms are rigorously regulated and held to high standards".

The Sunday Mirror has a front page image of an 11-year-old Ukrainian boy who is calling on the PM to let him come to the UK to be reunited with his father. It says he and his mother are among more than 9,000 cases delayed by Home Office red tape.

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