Griffin BBC fallout is hot topic

The fallout of BNP leader Nick Griffin's appearance on BBC Question Time remains a hot topic in the papers.

Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell calls the appearance on the programme a "pantomime" and "show trial".

The Daily Express's Richard Madeley says he was wrong to oppose the show which was "a disaster" for the BNP.

The Sun says Mr Griffin was "torn apart" and reports that his own activists have rounded on him for what it calls his "squirming" performance.

Recession woes

News that the UK economy shrank again in the last quarter was "especially disappointing", the Independent says.

It says: "Even after bailing out the banks; printing billions of pounds of new money and slashing interest rates, We're still in recession."

The UK is likely to be the last leading industrialised nation to emerge from recession, the Daily Telegraph says.

Most papers agree the figures are bad news for Labour, although the Daily Mirror argues "the worst is now over."

Collision course

The Guardian says the Church of England is on a collision course with some of its own clergy, who may defect to Catholicism over women bishops.

It says they want to take Church property with them when they go.

The row has been fuelled by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, who tells the Times the overtures from the Vatican were "inexcusable".

In the interview he calls on the current Archbishop, Rowan Williams, to protest over the issue.

Iran sanctions

Iran's failure to meet a deadline for handing over uranium to international powers is thought to have made tougher action against the country more likely.

The Daily Telegraph thinks Israel might take matters into its own hands if Tehran tries to bog down negotiations.

It thinks a military strike against its nuclear sites is now more likely.

The Independent says Iran has taken talks "to the brink" and its behaviour is playing into the hands of those pushing for increased sanctions.