What the papers say

Journalist Mike Philpott takes a look at Thursday's morning newspapers.

In the absence of any definite information, there is much speculation this morning about the discovery of the bodies of two men near Warrenpoint.

The Irish News says the police forces on both sides of the border are searching their files of people who have been reported missing, in their attempts to establish the identities of the men.

The News Letter carries a claim that the Orange Volunteers killed them, while the Daily Mirror says the deaths bear all the hallmarks of an IRA assassination.

'Lasting peace'

The last day of the Queen's Jubilee visit takes up ten pages in the News Letter.

In a leader, the paper examines the idea of loyalty to the Crown, and says the whole notion has been damaged by individuals and groups who have little understanding of the meaning of being British in the 21st century.

The Irish Independent takes heart from the Royal visit, commenting that the respect that was shown by both sides for each other is the key to a lasting peace here.

The Irish News repeats its demand for a ban on plastic bullets, after one of its photographers was injured during the rioting in east Belfast.

Until such time as a ban is put in place, it believes that soldiers must not be allowed to use the weapon.

'Electoral earthquake'

Many of the cross-channel papers regard Tony Blair's BBC interview with Jeremy Paxman as a marker for the "last days of sterling".

The Daily Telegraph tells its readers to prepare for a referendum on the Euro next year.

The Sun accuses the prime minister of "arrogance", and says he's determined to go down in history as "the man who killed off the pound".

Most of the papers went to press late enough to carry the outcome of the Dutch election.

The Independent describes the country's swing to the right as an "electoral earthquake".

The Financial Times, noting that the biggest beneficiary was the LPF, reports that no party has won so many seats in its parliamentary debut since the Second World War.

The Daily Express claims this morning that Prince Charles will announce this autumn that he is to marry Camilla Parker Bowles.

The paper describes it as "a done deal" and says the prince is biding his time to avoid stealing attention from the Golden Jubilee. In a leader, it supports the idea, commenting that marriage is the next logical step.