Newspaper headlines: ‘Police launch investigation’ into Walliams and Piddington asylum ‘betrayal’

Many of Saturday’s papers lead with the Metropolitan Police launching an investigation into David Walliams over reports of “alleged serious sexual offences”. The Guardian, external – which published a report detailing separate allegations on Tuesday – reminds readers that the comedian and children’s author has denied any wrongdoing, being a sexual predator or breaking the law. The Daily Mail, external reports that fans are deserting him.

The Sun refers to the jailing earlier this week of the comedian Russell Brand for rape and sexual assault. The co-host of the Great British Bake-Off, Noel Fielding, tells the paper of his “shame”, external at vile jokes he once made with Brand and stresses that they were “never pals” nor did he know of Brand’s crimes.

“We will fight this betrayal,” is the defiant message in the Daily Express from residents of Piddington, external, Oxfordshire – where the government has granted planning permission for the use of a former military site to house more than 1,200 asylum seekers. The paper says Home Office sources believe it will create a fairer distribution of asylum seekers. But it reports that locals have warned the government to brace for a legal battle.

The Guardian raises questions about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s claims that he used a £5m gift for his personal security. It says sources have told the paper his personal security has been paid for out of the party’s central funds. A party spokesperson tells the Guardian that “as a standard practice, we do not comment on security matters”.

The Daily Mirror, external says Friday’s “Microsoft meltdown” caused “utter chaos” for millions of email users around the world. The Daily Telegraph, external‘s cartoonist Matt takes a wry look at the outage, depicting a man standing outside a house and shouting up to its resident: “Microsoft emails aren’t working. You purchased something from our shop four years ago and we wanted to tell you about our exciting new offers.”

There is a common theme to coverage of Mauricio Pochettino leaving his role as head of the USA national football team to take the top job at Manchester United. “Ready and wailing”, suggests the Daily Express. It was a “tearful farewell”, according to the Times, external. The Daily Star says, external he was in tears – “and he hasn’t even started yet”.