UK to freeze Syria asylum claims and 'Red card for Coote'

The fall of Bashar al-Assad from power in Syria continues to lead the papers. The Financial Times says the rebel force that overthrew him, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has “rushed to consolidate its control” of the country, holding meetings with officials from the former government to negotiate a transition of power. The paper adds that an amnesty has been issued for people conscripted into the military under Assad, while state bodies have ordered a resumption of public services.

The headline in the Financial Times reads: "Syria rebels rush to consolidate power as fears of regional instability mount" — The fall of Bashar al-Assad from power in Syria continues to lead the papers. The Financial Times says the rebel force that overthrew him, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has “rushed to consolidate its control” of the country, holding meetings with officials from the former government to negotiate a transition of power. The paper adds that an amnesty has been issued for people conscripted into the military under Assad, while state bodies have ordered a resumption of public services.

The Daily Mirror leads with comments from Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who speaking in the House of Commons on Monday branded Assad the “rat of Damascus” and said he had fled to Moscow “with his tail between his legs”.

The headline in the Mirror reads: "The rat of Damascus". — The Daily Mirror leads with comments from Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who speaking in the House of Commons on Monday branded Assad the “rat of Damascus” and said he had fled to Moscow “with his tail between his legs”.

A report from the notorious Saydnaya Prison in Damascus leads the Guardian. The paper describes the discovery at the site of a “vast underground complex, five storeys deep” containing some of the last prisoners of the regime. It says the complex was believed to hold some 1,500 people and that a “procession lit by thousands of phone torches” streamed through the prison as people entered in search of lost loved ones.

The headline in the Guardian reads: "Hope and despair in Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'". — A report from the notorious Saydnaya Prison in Damascus leads the Guardian. The paper describes the discovery at the site of a “vast underground complex, five storeys deep” containing some of the last prisoners of the regime. It says the complex was believed to hold some 1,500 people and that a “procession lit by thousands of phone torches” streamed through the prison as people entered in search of lost loved ones.

The Times also reports from Saydnaya and, like the Guardian, carries a picture of someone holding up bloodied nooses found at the site. The paper says that, throughout Assad’s 24 years in power, and particularly since the 2011 uprising, thousands of his critics were taken to Saydnaya, though “few ever left”. It speaks to one man, Ahmed, who spent three years in the prison and had travelled there in search of his brother, Anas, who was just 20 when he was jailed. “He’s been imprisoned for more than ten years,” Ahmed says. “We haven’t heard one word from him.”

The headline in the Times reads: "Search for captives who escaped Assad's noose". — The Times also reports from Saydnaya and, like the Guardian, carries a picture of someone holding up bloodied nooses found at the site. The paper says that, throughout Assad’s 24 years in power, and particularly since the 2011 uprising, thousands of his critics were taken to Saydnaya, though “few ever left”. It speaks to one man, Ahmed, who spent three years in the prison and had travelled there in search of his brother, Anas, who was just 20 when he was jailed. “He’s been imprisoned for more than ten years,” Ahmed says. “We haven’t heard one word from him.”

The UK is to freeze decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens while it assesses the situation, the i reports. The paper says there are around 5,000 people from Syria currently awaiting the outcome of an asylum claim, but that the fall of Assad has raised questions about whether they will still need refuge from persecution.

The headline in the i reads: "UK to freeze decisions on Syrian asylum claims after fall of regime". — The UK is to freeze decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens while it assesses the situation, the i reports. The paper says there are around 5,000 people from Syria currently awaiting the outcome of an asylum claim, but that the fall of Assad has raised questions about whether they will still need refuge from persecution.

The Daily Telegraph says fears have been raised that British jihadists currently imprisoned in Syria could now return to the UK. Citing security sources, the paper reports that there are around a dozen Islamic State fighters from the UK being held in prisons controlled by Kurdish forces in northern Syria. It says the fall of Assad has “raised the prospect of camps and jails holding foreign fighters being shut down and the jihadists freed to head to Britain”. Turning to the festive season in the UK, the paper notes that a “poor sultana harvest” is “raisin mince pie prices”.

The headline in the Telegraph reads: "Asylum cases on hold amid terror fear". — The Daily Telegraph says fears have been raised that British jihadists currently imprisoned in Syria could now return to the UK. Citing security sources, the paper reports that there are around a dozen Islamic State fighters from the UK being held in prisons controlled by Kurdish forces in northern Syria. It says the fall of Assad has “raised the prospect of camps and jails holding foreign fighters being shut down and the jihadists freed to head to Britain”. Turning to the festive season in the UK, the paper notes that a “poor sultana harvest” is “raisin mince pie prices”.

Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger is quoted by the Daily Mail saying there is now a risk that a “very large number” of Islamic State detainees will be freed and that they would pose a “chronic” security threat to the UK.

The headline in the Mail reads: "Syria chaos is a 'chronic threat to our security'". — Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger is quoted by the Daily Mail saying there is now a risk that a “very large number” of Islamic State detainees will be freed and that they would pose a “chronic” security threat to the UK.

The Metro reports on the trial of Hassan Sentamu, the teenager accused of stabbing to death Croydon schoolgirl Elianne Andam in September 2023. The paper says Elianne was a friend of Mr Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend, and that the pair had met him to exchange some bags of possessions. It says the bag Mr Sentamu brought did not contain a teddy bear belonging to his ex, so Elianne tried to grab the other bag back from him. Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC called it a “gesture of solidarity that cost Elianne her life”. Mr Sentamu previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter but is on trial charged with murder, which he denies.

The headline in the Metro reads: "Stabbed to death for a teddy bear". — The Metro reports on the trial of Hassan Sentamu, the teenager accused of stabbing to death Croydon schoolgirl Elianne Andam in September 2023. The paper says Elianne was a friend of Mr Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend, and that the pair had met him to exchange some bags of possessions. It says the bag Mr Sentamu brought did not contain a teddy bear belonging to his ex, so Elianne tried to grab the other bag back from him. Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC called it a “gesture of solidarity that cost Elianne her life”. Mr Sentamu previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter but is on trial charged with murder, which he denies.

The rise in employers’ national insurance contributions introduced in October’s Budget will cost children’s hospices almost £140,000 a year each in additional staffing costs, according to the Daily Express. The paper quotes Ryan Pannel, whose son Theo died of a rare genetic condition at five and a half months, urging MPs to “do the right thing” and exempt hospices from the rise.

The headline in the Express reads: "'Seriously ill children will pay the price'". — The rise in employers’ national insurance contributions introduced in October’s Budget will cost children’s hospices almost £140,000 a year each in additional staffing costs, according to the Daily Express. The paper quotes Ryan Pannel, whose son Theo died of a rare genetic condition at five and a half months, urging MPs to “do the right thing” and exempt hospices from the rise.

The Sun leads on the sacking of David Coote, a Premier League referee who was seen in a video allegedly making derogatory comments about Liverpool’s then-manager, Jurgen Klopp, and in a photo appearing to sniff white powder through a rolled up bank note. The paper says the PGMOL, the body responsible for referees, found Coote’s to be in breach of his contract and his position “untenable”.

The headline in the Sun reads: "Red card for Coote". — The Sun leads on the sacking of David Coote, a Premier League referee who was seen in a video allegedly making derogatory comments about Liverpool’s then-manager, Jurgen Klopp, and in a photo appearing to sniff white powder through a rolled up bank note. The paper says the PGMOL, the body responsible for referees, found Coote’s to be in breach of his contract and his position “untenable”.

And the Daily Star says Nasa scientists have found Uranus – which it describes as its favourite planet – to be the “most important planet in the solar system”.

The headline in the Star reads: "We need to probe Uranus". — And the Daily Star says Nasa scientists have found Uranus – which it describes as its favourite planet – to be the “most important planet in the solar system”.

The fallout from the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in Syria continues to lead the papers.

The Times has a report from the Saydnaya prison near Damascus, where many of Assad’s opponents were held, tortured and killed. The paper features a photograph of a man holding up two bloodied nooses found during the search for survivors. The Guardian has a similar photograph from the prison, which it says is known locally as “the human slaughterhouse”.

“Syria rebels rush to consolidate power as fears of regional instability mount”, reads the headline in the Financial Times. The paper says rebel officials have met the former government to negotiate a peaceful transition of power. The Daily Mirror quotes Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling Assad’s downfall a “humiliation” for his backers, Iran and Russia.

The Guardian reports on a decision by the UK government to suspend asylum applications from Syria, saying it comes “despite a lack of clarity over what lies ahead” for the country. The Daily Telegraph quotes security sources who say the UK is at risk of British jihadists returning from Syria if they are freed from prison under the new regime.

Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger is quoted by the Daily Mail saying there is now a risk that a “very large number” of Islamic State detainees will be freed and that they would pose a “chronic” security threat to the UK.

The Times says the health secretary’s decision to prioritise treatment for the sickest people this winter could undermine the government’s goal of reducing NHS waiting lists. Wes Streeting told health bosses yesterday to focus on stopping people dying avoidably in A&E corridors as flu cases rise this winter. But the paper quotes a senior health official who says this will probably mean elective surgeries are delayed or cancelled.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told hospitals to focus on stopping people dying avoidably as flu cases rise this winter, the Times reports

PA Media Health Secretary Wes Streeting is seen speaking to reporters outside a hospital. He is wearing a black coat and purple tie. Over his right shoulder an ambulance is seen parked. — Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told hospitals to focus on stopping people dying avoidably as flu cases rise this winter, the Times reports

The Daily Telegraph says criminals are being allowed to work from home to complete community sentences. The paper said a freedom of information request sent to the Ministry of Justice revealed offenders carried out a total of 540,000 hours of online courses last year, 12% of all completed community sentences. A government spokesperson tells the paper that the majority of offenders’ unpaid work was done in person, and that the courses were designed to help get people into work and away from crime.

The Daily Express says the rise in employers’ national insurance contributions introduced in October’s Budget will cost children’s hospices almost £140,000 a year each in additional staffing costs. It says seriously ill children will “pay the price” of the increase. The Department for Health and Social Care says it is working with NHS England to address the financial pressures facing the hospice sector.

“Red card for Coote” is the splash on the Sun’s front page. It follows the sacking of Premier League referee David Coote after he was seen in a video allegedly making derogatory comments about Liverpool’s then-manager, Jurgen Klopp, and in a photo appearing to sniff white powder through a rolled up bank note. The Sun says Coote is likely to lose £2m in earnings following his dismissal, though in an article for the paper former referee Mark Halsey says there could be a way back for Coote.