'Starmer blasts Musk' and Canada's 'Trudeau quits'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s response to attacks on him by tech billionaire Elon Musk over grooming gangs leads many of the papers. The Guardian says that, speaking to reporters on Monday, Sir Keir accused Musk of spreading “lies and misinformation” on the issue and of amplifying the “poison” of the far-right. It adds that he also criticised the last government for not implementing the recommendations of a major report which concluded in 2022, and accused Conservatives politicians who are now calling for a national inquiry of “jumping on the bandwagon”.

The Daily Mirror splashes on a picture of Musk. The paper writes Sir Keir warned that Musk’s comment are putting politicians at risk and said those criticising the government were “not interested in the victims”.

The Daily Telegraph says Sir Keir’s use of the phrase “far-right” while discussing calls for a national inquiry have prompted a backlash. It quotes him accusing politicians “who sat in government for many years” of being “casual about honesty, decency, truth and the rule of law” and of “calling for inquiries because they want to jump on a bandwagon of the far-right”. Former home secretary James Cleverly is quoted saying the comments would make Sir Keir “the best recruiting sergeant for the extremism”. A No 10 spokesperson tells the paper that the prime minister was only criticising politicians who failed in office, not all those calling for an inquiry.

Sir Keir’s comments have sparked “fury”, the Daily Mail reports. The paper quotes Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accusing him of “applying Labour smear tactics from 20 years ago”. Also pictured is Zendaya in a gown at the Golden Globes posing for pictures. The paper says the Dune actress is now engaged to British actor and Spiderman star Tom Holland.

The Daily Express says Sir Keir has been criticised for being “out of touch” with the public on the issue of grooming gangs. Pictured is Demi Moore after winning a Golden Globe in the best female actor in a musical or comedy film category for her role in The Substance.

European leaders have rounded on Musk for attempting to influence overseas politics, according to the Times. The paper quotes French President Emmanuel Macron saying that the “owner of one of the largest social networks in the world” was supporting a “new international reactionary movement”, and a spokesperson for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying that “decent people” were in the majority in Germany and would not be swayed by Musk’s “untruths”.

“X Factor spat hits Starmer” headlines the Metro. The paper says the row has “overshadowed” the government’s announcements of its plans to reduce hospital waiting lists and tackle the NHS backlog.

The plans will see an additional 2.5 million patients sent to private hospitals, including 1.5 million in the most deprived areas with the longest waiting lists, the i reports. The paper quotes Sir Keir acknowledging that some Labour voters will not be comfortable with the use of the private sector but adding that he is “not interested in putting ideology before patients”.

The Financial Times leads with the resignation on Monday of Justin Trudeau, who has served as Canadian prime minister since 2015. The paper says the announcement follows weeks of speculation about Trudeau’s political future and that he was facing growing opposition from with his own party. It adds that his popularity has been hit by soaring living costs as well as a lack of affordable housing.

A man has been charged with stalking Strictly Come Dancing host Shirley Ballas, according to the Sun. The paper says Kyle Shaw, 37, is accused of causing serious distress to the 64-year-old between 2017 and 2023. The Sun also pictures “golden girls” Moore and Zendaya on the red carpet.

And the Daily Star says snowfall has left 23 people holed up at Britain’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire, for three nights.