UK and European regulators have defended the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine as five more countries stopped using it over unconfirmed links to blood clots. The European regulator insisted the benefits of the jab “outweigh the risks of side-effects”, writes The Times.Read more on this story here.
The Times leads with the Metropolitan Police commissioner’s vow that she is “utterly determined” to remain the force’s leader after the killing of Sarah Everard.Read more on this story here.
The Times reports that the UK is on course to vaccinate all adults with a first dose by the end of June – two months ahead of the EU – and one month ahead of the government target.
The Times says the police watchdog will be investigating whether Met officers acted “appropriately” after receiving a report the suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering Sarah Everard had indecently exposed himself on 28 February.
The Times reports that Buckingham Palace said it would deal privately with the “concerning racism” allegations made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Buckingham Palace is “in turmoil” after Meghan said a member of the royal family voiced concerns about Archie’s skin colour, The Times reports.
NHS chiefs have warned that they will have to start cutting patient care unless Rishi Sunak finds £8bn this week for extra COVID reports, The Times writes.
New variants of coronavirus are “very unlikely” to stop things returning to normal in the UK over the summer, the scientist in charge of tracking variants has told The Times.
The budget has given the Conservatives a double-digit lead in the latest opinion poll – that’s the lead in The Times.
