What the papers say

Journalist Keith Baker takes a look at what is making the headlines in Monday's morning papers.

The Mail carries a series of pictures of Tony Blair taken at various times during the year.

Etched into his face is the torment of his toughest 12 months, the headline tells us.

The paper says he is the fittest man in history to hold the post of prime minister. He works out several times a week, as well as playing tennis and football.

But on the debit side, there is his gruelling schedule and a family history of serious illness.

The paper notes that both his parents suffered debilitating illnesses while still relatively young. His sister has also suffered ill health since childhood.

The Guardian says the health scare will inevitably lead to speculation as to whether Mr Blair has the strength and political will to carry on.

In the event of Mr Blair needing to take time off, Mr Brown would be the uncontested choice to succeed him Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph says all this is bound to raise questions about succession plans and, in particular, Mr Blair's relationship with Gordon Brown.

However, Labour sources have been making it clear that, in the event of Mr Blair needing to take time off to rest or, in an extreme case, standing down altogether, Mr Brown would be the uncontested choice to succeed him.

The News Letter says Mr Blair's heart problem caused an immediate flutter of concern that Northern Ireland's crisis talks might be put in jeopardy.

It says he certainly does not need any all-night peace process sessions - nor does anybody else.

Several of the papers look at the likelihood of progress in talks between David Trimble and Gerry Adams.

The News Letter's political correspondent says positive signals have been emerging but there are also the usual health warnings to qualify any optimism.

Election "on knife edge"

The Irish Times says the prospect of having an election and a working executive is hanging on a knife edge.

One source tells the paper that the talks are going in the right direction, but the result is still far from certain.

Nevertheless, the Irish News sees plenty of hope on the horizon. After a full year of pessimism, it says, the restoration of devolved government is now tantalisingly close.

If republicans live up to their responsibilities and if Mr Trimble provides firm guarantees that further suspensions of the administration will be avoided, then a deal could be swiftly finalised.

For the Mirror, there is only one story, "Diana Letter Sensation", the headline reads, with the quote: "They're planning an accident in my car so Charles can marry again."

The paper says this allegation was made in a handwritten note which the Princess of Wales gave to her butler, Paul Burrell, 10 months before she died. It is a note which will stun the world, says the Mirror.

Diana's note

In a leader, the Mirror says its front page is one of the most dramatic and devastating in its entire history. It calls for an inquest into Diana's death and a public inquiry.

The British people have an absolute right to know what really happened to their princess, it says.

In the Daily Telegraph, there is more uncomfortable reading for Iain Duncan Smith.

The paper says the Tory party has spent £0.5m on redundancy payments and salary compensation for senior staff who have been forced out or demoted since he became leader.

The scale of all this has alarmed party donors because of the precarious state of Tory finances.

In which case, they might like to consider the lottery.

The Irish News carries the headline: "Are you sitting on a winning Lotto ticket?"

It says three Northern Ireland people have tickets worth £250,000 and if they don't claim by 2300 BST on Monday, then they will lose the lot.

The paper gives details of where and when the tickets were bought and it advises anybody who thinks they might have one to carry out a thorough search including, of course, behind the sofa.