The Papers: Prepare for ‘Aussie rules’ Brexit as talks stall

image caption“Prepare for no deal” is the headline of the Daily Telegraph. It says the prime minister has told the cabinet Brussels wanted to “punish” Britain for refusing to be yoked to EU rules. Boris Johnson has said he would “go the extra mile” and fly to Paris, Berlin or Brussels if there was any prospect of a deal. Cartoonist Matt draws a man holding a shotgun next to the Christmas tree with the caption: “Chaos at the ports could lead to food shortages. We may have to eat a reindeer.”

image captionThe Guardian says the prime minister warned that the UK risked being “locked in the EU’s orbit”. The paper also gives space on the front page to news that thousands of pupils will be tested for coronavirus in schools across Essex, Kent and London. There is a warning from an MP that the data is “awful” and the capital is “heading for tier three for sure”.

image captionThe Daily Express has a striking image of Boris Johnson alongside the headline “All we ever wanted was our freedom”. It says the EU “blatantly refuses to accept demands to reclaim our sovereignty”.

image captionThe Daily Mail says “Get set for no deal” as it says talks have stalled. It adds the EU has issued a “blackmail threat”. It also features the “Baby scandal the NHS tried to cover up”. The story focuses on a critical review into a maternity unit at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital, in Shropshire.

image caption“Let’s play Aussie rules” is the Metro’s take on the latest Brexit negotiations. The paper says the prime minister has put Britain on notice that there is a “strong possibility” of no trade deal being reached with the European Union and the country having to use “Aussie-style trade rules”.

image captionThe i newspaper says that “after four-and-a-half years of failed talks” Boris Johnson has warned the UK faces tariffs and higher prices in 20 days. Its front page also carries a picture of Sky News presenter Kay Burley, who has been taken off air after a Covid breach.

image caption“On the brink of no-deal” is the Daily Mirror’s take on the UK-EU trade negotiations. The paper also has an interview with television presenter Alan Titchmarsh who says he will not watch Netflix series The Crown because it is unfair to Prince Charles.

image captionThe Times leads on the latest Brexit twist but also features an investigation into HM Revenue and Customs paying offshore firms to pursue debts amid the pandemic. The Times Investigation team says five companies working with HMRC and local councils to collect debts have offshore owners, with bases including the Channel Islands. HMRC said the law “allowed it to delegate work to private sector suppliers” and safeguards were in place to ensure they complied with rules, the paper reports.

image captionThe Daily Star has an alternative take on no deal as it moves away from Brexit and instead talks about the prime minister banning the World Pie Eating Championship.