The Papers: 'French protests become violent' and SAS men 'arrested for murder'

'French protests become violent' and SAS men 'arrested for murder'Published3 minutes agoImage caption, The Independent focuses on the hundreds of people who have been arrested across France, following what it says were "some of the country's most violent protests in recent times". The paper says a tourist office has been torched in Lyon, and a town hall vandalised in Marseille, as people protest "rising costs and declining services".Image caption, The Times leads with an investigation, reporting that Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers accused of murder were sent into war zones while still under police investigation. It says that five men were arrested on secret bases in Syria and Iraq in 2022, kicking off an "unprecedented three-year criminal investigation" that the paper says "plunged the regiment into crisis". It writes that the five men were sent back into the war zone just 48 hours after being questioned by police, and "left in limbo for three years" before they were told no charges would be brought. The former suspects have all since left the military, the Times says, in addition to writing a letter to former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to complain about their "potentially unlawful arrests". A Ministry Of Defence spokesperson said personnel are "entitled to expect that any investigation is conducted fairly and professionally and rightly there are procedures in place for people to report concerns ... If allegations of wrongdoing arise, it is right that they are properly assessed and, where appropriate, investigated".Image caption, Protesters in Paris have also been pictured on the front page of the Sunday Telegraph, captioned: "Rioters on the rampage across France." The paper carries a story about the use of Civil Service fact-checkers at the BBC, a revelation which it says has lead to questions about the broadcaster's impartiality. A spokesperson for the BBC has denied that civil servants had editorial influence on stories, and stated that all editorial decision-making was made by BBC journalists and editors.Image caption, The Mail on Sunday has accused the BBC of "brainwashing children" in its main story, alleging the broadcaster's education website, BBC Bitesize, is pushing "'extreme' Left-Wing views" on millions of pupils. It reports that the website included an online game called "Increasing Immigration", which rewarded students for choosing to open borders and grant amnesty to "illegal migrants". A BBC spokesman said: "BBC Bitesize works with educational consultants to develop resources that help young people explore and understand a wide range of topics, aligned to the respective curriculums across the UK ... While we don't accept the characterisation of Bitesize in this story, we regularly review content to ensure it remains relevant and to ensure it meets the BBC's editorial standards and will review these examples in that context."Image caption, Reform UK Nigel Farage has spoken to the Sunday Express, declaring that Britain will never "vote to rejoin" the European Union. Farage accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of having an "outdated view of the world", and warned that pressure from "Labour's traditional heartlands in the North" will prevent him from leading the UK straight back into the bloc.Image caption, A photograph of television presenters Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates walking together leads the Sun on Sunday, which says the "Match of the Day lovebirds" were stepping out together as a couple for the first time.Image caption, An off-duty doctor who helped wounded passengers in the Bedford plane crash earlier this year is set to receive a Pride of Britain Award, according to the Daily Mirror. The paper reports Dr Eli Prior had multiple injuries herself, but stayed on the train to help others who had been hurt in the crash. Air ambulance doctor Rob Wilmore said he was "humbled" by Prior's bravery.Image caption, "Rich pickings", reads the headline of the Sunday People, homing in on campaigners who argue that a wealth tax "could help so many". It comes ahead of the Budget, which is set to be delivered on 28 October.Image caption, "Comedy legend fights off mugger", reads the Daily Star, alongside a photograph of comedian Paul Whitehouse. The paper reports the 68-year-old was accosted at a cash machine, but fought back against the thief, who it says "scuttled away empty handed".Image caption, The Observer explores what it is calling the "childhood lottery", writing that a child in Blackpool is 27 times more likely to miss school than one in Lambeth. The piece hinges on a new study, which it says has exposed the vast inequalities of childhood in England and prompted the children's commissioner to declare a national emergency".Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox.Related Internet LinksDaily ExpressDaily MailDaily MirrorDaily StarDaily TelegraphFinancial TimesGuardianIndependentMetroSunThe iTimes