Papers cheered by sorry Boris

There's undisguised glee as the papers reflect on Boris Johnson's efforts to make up with the people of Liverpool.

The Times calls it a "shambolic PR stunt", blaming Tory officials for insisting on excessive secrecy.

The Independent is also scathing of the hush-hush operation, saying even Mr Johnson's driver was kept in the dark.

The Guardian says Liverpudlians were split between those who loathed him and wished he'd go home, and those who loathed him and wished he'd never come.

Plan for troops

On the prospect of British soldiers being sent to central Iraq, the Daily Telegraph predicts ministers will make a formal announcement on Thursday.

The Mirror agrees the decision may anger backbenchers, saying many are furious about the proposed move.

The Independent asks us to consider the wider issues in Iraq and remember "how it came to this".

While the Times claims coalition commanders are deciding whether to send an extra 1,300 British troops to Iraq.

'Nanny State'

The Telegraph highlights claims that midwives will ask all mothers-to-be if their partners beat them.

The Daily Mail sees this as "the ultimate in Nanny State intrusion" and is ironic as the government bids to liberalise drinking and gambling.

The Financial Times leads on the claim Gordon Brown could be about to break one of his "golden rules" - borrowing to spend on benefits and services.

The Independent has a breakdown of MPs' expenses, asking "does it all add up?"

'Voice of Middle England'

Almost all of the papers carry tributes to Mail columnist Linda Lee-Potter, who died of a brain tumour on Wednesday.

Her own paper says in her forthright views "her loyalty was to those without a platform, the ordinary people she loved and with whom she identified".

The Times quotes her own words: "With my fingers on the keyboard, my mind clears and opinions form themselves."

The Sun's columnist Jane Moore said she was the "voice of Middle England" and a "thoroughly decent person".