Papers dwell on euro prospects

Many of the papers discuss the OECD's latest report on the British economy, which, the Independent points out, predicts that Britain will be ready to join the euro next year.

The Mirror speculates that the Trade Secretary, Stephen Byers, will reignite the conflict at the heart of the government by stating that it is time to campaign positively for the euro.

In an interview with the paper, he warns that up to three million jobs could be put at risk by anti-European rhetoric. In its editorial, the paper applauds his decision to go public, saying that Tony Blair has sat on the fence for far too long.

But in its commentary, The Times indicates that while the British economy may "appear" to converge with countries who have joined the euro, it is fundamentally different.

The paper suggests that the Republic of Ireland, which is more like Britain, is already suffering from being governed by economic strictures designed for others.

Either way, several papers highlight Tory leader William Hague's pledge to hold a nationwide referendum before any further handover of powers to Brussels.

'Deeply divided'

The Independent, also reports a speech by Michael Heseltine on Thursday, in which he described the Conservative Party as deeply divided, and the official policy as a "Little Englander message".

The Guardian suggests that which way the party will go could become clearer on Friday night, when members in Huntingdon choose the successor to Mr Heseltine's former boss, John Major.

The Times profiles the three candidates on the short-list: all 35-year-old men - an Oxford-education councillor from the right of the party, a barrister who went to Cambridge and represents the centre-right, and a lower middle-class businessman.

The paper points out that another 35-year-old man is gunning for Mr Heseltine's seat at Henley.

The paper describes Boris Johnson as the bumbling wonder-child of the Daily Telegraph group - a cross between a Thatcherite stormtrooper and Bertie Wooster.

Rape controversy

"The law exists for our protection," starts the Scotsman's coverage of John Anderson's second acquittal in a rape case where he defended himself.

The jury found the allegations that he raped a 13-year-old girl and her mother not proven.

The paper suggests that the law protected Mr Anderson, but failed to protect the girl.

It points out that in a few weeks' time, defendants will not be able to question their alleged victims in courts in England and Wales, but the Scottish executive is dragging its feet on the matter to a degree that is becoming disgraceful.

Following the recent political wrangling over how to tackle hooliganism during Euro 2000, the Guardian describes how Dutch officials are getting to what some might see as the heart of the matter.

All bars in central Eindhoven, where England play Portugal on Monday, will have to sell half-strength beer.

A policeman tells the paper that fans probably will not notice the difference once they have had a few glasses.

The story is illustrated with a cartoon - one fan suggesting to another: "It must be something to do with the weak euro."