THE Prime Minister’s hopes for a special Brexit deal for the City of London appear to have been torpedoed – and the Royal Navy’s flagship is taking on water at a worrying rate, according to the newspapers.

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has warned Theresa May the UK will not get a special deal for financial services, The Guardian reports.

Meanwhile the Navy’s largest-ever warship, the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth II, has sprung a leak, The Sun reports.

Police corruption led to the collapse of a £3.5 million inquiry into Paul Massey, also known as Salford’s “Mr Big”, the murdered boss one of the country’s most notorious criminal gangs, The Times reports.

An investigation by The Times has revealed a £3.5m inquiry into one of Britain’s most notorious crime gangs collapsed after multiple claims of police corruption

The Daily Mirror reports that up to 3,200 jobs are at risk at toy retailer Toys R Us, which is on the brink of administration following plunging sales.

The Independent’s online edition reports that 100,000 posts in the NHS, nearly one in 10, are vacant amid a recruitment “crisis”.

The Independent also covers the NHS vacancies, saying the record shortage has led to billions being spent on agency staff.

The Daily Telegraph reports on allegations that 100m champion Justin Gatlin’s entourage offered to supply performance-enhancing drugs.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s four-point plan to tackle plastic waste leads the Daily Mail, which has campaigned on the issue.

A gender pay gap in the corridors of power sees women paid 16.9% less than men in Whitehall, the Metro reports.

The Daily Express reports on research that suggests socialising can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

And the Financial Times reports on Cyril Ramaphosa, the newly elected leader of the African National Congress who threatens Jacob Zuma’s position as South Africa’s president.