What the papers say

Journalist Andy Wood takes a look at what is making the headlines in Wednesday's morning newspapers.

Almost a year on from his murder, the Irish News says police know who killed 19-year-old Catholic Gerard Lawlor in north Belfast last year - but will have to rely on admissions by Mr Lawlor's killers to bring prosecutions.

The PSNI's Detective Superintendent Roy Suitters tells the paper this is because the police have "no forensic evidence, no witnesses and no information".

"You have to make the decision", Mr Suitters says, "whether it is worthwhile bringing two people in, knowing they have burnt their clothes and got rid of anything that ties them to the murder."

Crime of a different kind - vandalism - dominates the News Letter which reports that the Ulster Unionist Party headquarters in east Belfast has been attacked for the second time in two weeks, this time with paint.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Jim Rodgers is clear this was not a random attack: "These people weren't just passing with a bucket of paint," he tells the paper but confesses he doesn't know whether republicans or loyalists are responsible.

'Allow him home'

The Irish News opinion page has some strong words for the Israeli authorities who arrested Belfast Irish language activist Sean O Muireagain, saying he is now "entitled to a full explanation about his arrest" and an assurance that he will be able to move freely throughout the remainder of his visit to the Palestinian territories.

The Daily Mirror says Israel must "come clean" on why they arrested him in the first instance - and allow him home to his family immediately.

The News Letter leading article takes a swipe at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, asking where else in the world you could ring a tourist agency - only to be told it was "closed for the holidays".

But, the paper says, at least this spared bewildered tourists an electronic tour of switchboard options.

The cross-channel papers are still playing catch-up in the twists and turns in the case of Wigan schoolgirl Shevaun Pennington and former US marine Toby Studabaker.

Pictures of both of them dominate the front pages. The Mirror headlines Studabaker's words to his brother back in Michigan: "I'm mad - she lied", (about her age) and says Studabaker is talking to police in America about giving himself up.

'Confusion'

Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Peter Mason tells the paper he's certain the couple did go to France - but now "they could be anywhere".

Finally to the Guardian, and a novel explanation by sketch writer Simon Hoggart of the continuing confusion about who said what and to whom about Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction.

Hoggart says a noisy hotel bar may have produced the misunderstandings between MoD weapons expert Dr David Kelly and BBC correspondent Andrew Gilligan.

Thus Dr Kelly remarks that "we could use a drink - why don't I get the barman to set them up?" becomes: "Aha - so it was all sexed up was it?"

And again from Dr Kelly: "We needn't take long - we could lunch in four to five minutes" became: "Yes, you're ahead of me. Launched in 45 minutes - I think that's all I need".