Newspaper headlines: Meghan's dad speaks out and PM 'dares' the Queen By BBC News

Staff Published duration 6 October 2019

image copyright Getty Images image caption Meghan and Harry appear on many of Sunday's front pages

The Royal Family features on the front pages of several Sunday newspapers, with some eye-catching Brexit developments, too.

The Observer carries what it says are further details about the legal action launched by the Duke of Sussex - related to alleged phone-hacking - against the publishers of The Sun and The Mirror.

The paper says the tabloids are accused of concealing or destroying evidence that they illegally targeted Prince Harry and his friends over many years.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, meanwhile, Thomas Markle defends his decision to give the paper extracts from a private letter written by his estranged daughter, Meghan. The Duchess is suing the paper over the publication.

In an editorial, The Mail on Sunday launches a defence of its decision to print the private letter. "Anyone who receives public money must expect scrutiny from the media," it says.

'PM dares Queen'

"Sack me if you dare" is the headline on the front of The Sunday Times, which says the prime minister will challenge the Queen to fire him rather than resign in an attempt to drive through the UK's exit on 31 October.

The paper says senior aides have revealed Boris Johnson is prepared to "squat" in Downing Street, if MPs declare no confidence in his leadership and agree a caretaker prime minister to replace him.

Sources have told the Sunday Times that the Speaker of the House John Bercow is being considered as a possible leader of a government of national unity.

image copyright EPA image caption Could Boris Johnson squat in No 10?

Meanwhile, the Observer highlights remarks made by the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Paris on Saturday - when he reportedly said the UK government would "bear full responsibility for a no-deal Brexit"

Mr Barnier apparently made clear the Brexit process would advance no further, unless Mr Johnson's Brexit proposals changed.

In its editorial, The Sun on Sunday also throws its weight behind what it calls Mr Johnson's "credible Brexit offer" . The paper urges EU leaders to "abandon their stubborn posturing and meet the PM halfway".

PM businesswoman row

The Sunday Times reports on fresh allegations relating to Mr Johnson's dealings with the US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri when he was the Mayor of London.

The paper says it has seen emails, which show Mr Johnson wrote a reference for Ms Arcuri when she was applying for a high-flying government quango job. Both Mr Johnson and Ms Arcuri have denied wrongdoing.

Parole crisis

The Sunday Telegraph reports on figures which show one in five murders is committed by a prisoner on parole, with a 63% increase in the number of homicides committed by former inmates.

image copyright Getty Images image caption The Sunday Telegraph has seen figures which show an increase in homicides committed by former inmates

The paper says that the figures have led to demands for urgent investment in the probation system - which it says is still reeling from "disastrous reforms" that saw some services handed to private companies.

One of the pensioner couple jailed in Portugal for smuggling £1 million worth of cocaine has told the Sunday People there are "rats as big as rabbits" in his jail

Roger and Susan Clarke, 72 and 71 respectively, were sentenced to eight years after being caught with the haul on a cruise ship. Mr Clarke is now in the EP Lisboa jail, described by the People as "grim".

Amazon safety

An ambulance was called to an Amazon warehouse in Britain once every two days last year, according to an investigation in the Sunday Times

The paper says one member of staff fell 10 feet off a walkway while another incident saw a pregnant woman collapse. Amazon said it is a safe place to work with fewer incidents than similar businesses.

'Heir we go!'

And many papers carry pictures of a beaming Prince George watching Aston Villa's five-one victory over Norwich City on Saturday.

image caption A jubilant Prince George enjoys Saturday's Villa game against Norwich

"Nice one, son" reads the Sunday Times headline, which notes that the royals shunned the VIP treatment, by sitting in "normal seats".