Governor's speech makes headlines

A speech by Mervyn King finds the Bank of England governor being portrayed as an acid critic of the banks and the government in many of the papers.

The Financial Times describes his language as "forceful" while the Independent sees the comments as "a stinging attack" on bankers' behaviour.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, says he is on a "collision course" with ministers.

The Daily Express says he gave the PM "a mauling" with "his most scathing criticism" of Labour's economic policy.

'Papal gambit'

The front page of the Times focuses on the new rules allowing Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church.

"Papal gambit stuns church", it says, noting that as many as 1,000 priests could now leave the Church of England.

The Pope's decree is a "serious blow" to attempts to save the Anglican Church from further fragmentation, it adds.

The Daily Telegraph says the move may have given the Archbishop of Canterbury a "lifeline" and allows him to deal with "contentious issues" like women bishops.

'Viewers' decision'

Any mention of the British National Party used to be rare in the papers but they are full of coverage.

The Daily Star thinks the BBC was right to invite its leader Nick Griffin on to Question Time so viewers can decide if "he is truly as vile as they say".

The Sun says he is guilty of a "revolting brand of racism" and the UK "is finally waking up" to the fact.

The Daily Mirror describes some of his recent comments as "the rantings of a desperate fringe politician".

Age issues

Never mind ethnic or gender inequalities, the Daily Telegraph asks, what about ageism?

If positive discrimination is thought acceptable, why shouldn't it be used to make sure that 40% of MPs, like 40% of the population, are aged over 50.

And Ann Widdecombe, writing in the Daily Express, airs a similar thought.

She wonders why researchers, political parties, and the BBC ignore the people over 70 - "the ignored generation" - despite their "wisdom and experience".

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