The Times calls the event "subterfuge and folly". It criticises what it sees as the reluctance to mention the campaign's true purpose, which is to persuade people that Britain should join the single currency.

The paper's columnist, Mary Ann Sieghart, comments that the whole event illustrated what she calls the "paranoid atmosphere" in which Britain in Europe operates.

She claims that even the Prime Minister was far from his normal, confident self, caricaturing opponents of EMU as anti-Europeans, when most of them are not.

'Political funk'

The Independent is equally unimpressed. The papers says that it is "startling" that the Euro got just one mention in Tony Blair's speech at the launch of the campaign.

"This is political funk on a grand scale," the paper claims. It calls on the Prime Minister to take a clear stand in persuading a "sceptical British public of the many benefits of joining the single currency".

The Daily Telegraph claims that given Labour's poor showing in the European elections, Mr Blair has engaged in an imaginary and fraudulent argument.

Meanwhile, The Daily Mail highlights a report by the Consumers' Association, which has listed the 10 worst banks and building societies in the mortgage industry.

'Telly tubbies'

Under the headline "How the mortgage giants 'misled' millions of buyers", the paper says these latest developments represent another significant victory for its "Stop the Mortgage Stings" campaign.

It insists that the Trade Secretary, Stephen Byers, must leave lenders in no doubt - if they will not moderate their greed voluntarily, he should compel them by law.

The Telegraph reports on research published in the British Medical Journal about the growing problem of overweight young children, and warns of obesity fears for what it calls "the telly tubbies".

The Express reckons that video culture has put "sport out to grass". The paper says that the importance of active recreation in the development of youngsters cannot be understated.

The death of the man regarded as the father of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, is featured in several papers.

Welsh despair

The Guardian's obituary describes the former Tanzanian president as a giant of the African independence struggle.

The Times agrees but adds that as his political position became increasingly embattled, he became coercive in his dealings with opponents.

By the time he stood down as president in 1985, the papers says, his once saintly image had become somewhat tarnished.

The joy of Samoa's victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup is captured in a photograph on the front page of The Independent. Arms raised and faces split by smiles, they celebrates their 38-31 win in Cardiff.