Press debate next Commons Speaker

Most of the papers name Labour's former Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, as the bookies' favourite to be the next Speaker of the Hous of Commons.

But the Guardian declares that there are only two "plausible" candidates - the Conservative backbenchers, Sir George Young and John Bercow.

The Daily Mail columnist Melanie Phillips opts for Anne Widdecombe.

This is because she is "squeaky-clean" and widely admired by the public for her "independence, integrity and courage".

The Independent is fiercely critical of the Foreign Office following the deaths of the two British security guards who were kidnapped in Iraq.

The paper believes the situation has been "mishandled" and suggests the media blackout on the hostage crisis was "misguided".

It argues public appeals about such cases can apply "valuable pressure".

Tehran terror

But writing in the Guardian, former hostage Terry Waite says it is unlikely a public campaign will help.

Eyewitness reports and interviews from Saturday's unrest in Tehran feature in some papers, including the Times.

One man tells the paper he walked over the injured and the dead, and that he would never "forget" or "forgive".

Another eyewitness despatch in the Guardian describes how a woman was beaten by anti-riot police.

The Financial Times says the Royal Bank of Scotland - 70% owned by the taxpayer - is to announce a pay package for its chief executive that could total £9.6m.

Switching sides

As Wimbledon begins, the Daily Star says Andy Murray is a hero for British tennis fans - for now, at least.

The paper reports fans saying the tennis ace will be classed as British if he wins, but Scottish if he loses.

And former Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher has been named as the Stig on the BBC's Top Gear programme, as covered by the Daily Express.

But the "revelation" seems to be a bit of a joke, as was conceded by host Jeremy Clarkson at the end of the show.

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