Most papers feature an image of the prime minister behind bars as the clock ticks down to EU summit

This article is more than 11 months old

This article is more than 11 months old

A photograph of Boris Johnson walking behind a metal fence, which gives the unfortunate impression that the prime minster is behind bars, provided a visual metaphor too appealing for most publications as Johnson struggles to secure a withdrawal from the EU.

The Telegraph quotes the prime minister, who likened Brexit negotiations to the prison break movie Shawshank Redemption. Its headline is: “Brexit is like the Shawshank Redemption … but now we can see the light.”

Those who have seen the film will know that the lead character, incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, eventually escapes through a tunnel and then a sewer, eventually emerging covered in effluent to stand victorious in the rain. Exactly how closely Johnson was drawing the comparison is unclear.

The Telegraph (@Telegraph) The front page of tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph: ‘Brexit is like the Shawshank Redemption … but now we can see the light’ #TomorrowsPaperToday pic.twitter.com/TiLav6n4nJ

The Guardian has: “Johnson in last-minute scramble for DUP backing”, saying Johnson was “in a race against time to secure the DUP’s backing for his newly negotiated Brexit deal”.

“With time short, Johnson told a meeting of Conservative MPs he was hopeful of a deal but it felt like he was on the Hillary Step of Everest, while the summit was ‘shrouded in mist’.”

The Guardian (@guardian) Guardian front page, Thursday 17 October 2019: Johnson in last-minute scramble for DUP backing pic.twitter.com/ePEaDPnZlA

The Express says Johnson “was last night edging closer to agreeing a Brexit deal” before “today’s crunch summit in Brussels”. The paper says he “appeared to be tantalisingly near” to finalising the deal after “desperately trying to convince his parliamentary allies”.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) EXPRESS: Against all odds #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3S69r2sXWo

The Times says the “Brexit deal was “on knife edge” and Johnson’s “fate was in the hands of the DUP”, but sounds a note of optimism, saying that “confidence grows in Brussels despite setback”.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) TGE TIMES: Brexit deal on knife edge as DUP blocks Johnson / Culture Secretary opens door to making BBC subscription service #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/xlxf8Pt242

The Mail, always a fan of letting readers know exactly how long it has been since the Brexit referendum, says: “After 1,210 days of dithering, delay and doom, Boris says deal is ‘fingertip close’ – but DUP could still scupper it”.

Its headline – “In sight of the summit” is a reference to another analogy made by Johnson, who said Brexit negotiations were like climbing Mount Everest and while the summit was close, it was surrounded by “cloud”.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) MAIL UPDATED: In sight of the Summit #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4vokpDO1VZ

The Metro also refers to the Everest metaphor, but goes with the excellent punny headline: “Summit’s got to give”.

Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) Thursday's front page:

SUMMIT'S GOT TO GIVE#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/WTY8uJUMmo

The Mirror strives to communicate the precariousness of the deal, saying Brexit was “on a knife-edge”, that it was “hanging in the balance” and that the “last-ditch agreement” was close but still needed the support of the DUP.

Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) Tomorrow's front page: Brexit on a knife-edge #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/vQa6epnG11 pic.twitter.com/lwhGTkjz8C

The i’s splash is: “Deadlock on Brexit deal ahead of summit”. The paper says the “DUP and hardline Brexiteers threaten Johnson’s plans on eve of meeting with EU leaders in Brussels” as “Downing Street confirms Parliament’s Saturday sitting”.

i newspaper (@theipaper) Thursday's front page: Deadlock on Brexit deal ahead of crunch summit #tomorrowspaperstoday #skypapers #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/KRgOfF04DF

In other, non-Brexit news, the FT leads with: “Hargreaves Lansdown under fire as Woodford collapse traps clients” and the Sun’s splash is: “Ego warriors”, as it accuses celebrities who support Extinction Rebellion, including Benedict Cumberbatch and Steve Coogan, of having “high-carbon lifestyles”.

Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Thursday 17 October https://t.co/CVThl0v8bH pic.twitter.com/dO1p29gKtd