Papers predict bankers' apology

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The controversy over bankers' bonuses continues to make several of Tuesday's papers.

The Times says the bankers who led Royal Bank of Scotland and HBOS to the brink of collapse will offer a public apology when they appear before MPs.

According to the Daily Mail, a review of the bonus culture has already been condemned as a classic cover-up.

It says the man chosen to lead it, Sir David Walker, was dubbed Mr Whitewash after leading two other City inquiries which recommended little or no change.

'No rules'

MPs' pay and perks are another preoccupation following reports about the expenses claimed by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith for a second home.

According to the Daily Express, any inquiry would be pointless. It says she will be cleared of breaking any rules because there are no proper rules.

Ed Balls's grim comments about the economy are the Independent's lead.

It calls his assessment that Britain is facing its worst financial crisis for a century, an "extraordinary admission".

Pile-ups

The Daily Telegraph reports millions of healthy people could be put on cholesterol-lowering drugs.

NHS national director for heart disease Professor Roger Boyle says prescribing statins to millions of over-40s could prevent 2,000 deaths a year.

"Rubbish piles up in the streets" is the headline in the Daily Express.

It says households across the country have suffered delays of up to seven days as councils cancelled collections after the worst snowfalls in 18 years.

Big cheque

One face appearing on many of the front and back pages is that of sacked Chelsea Football Club manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

According to the Mail, Russian owner Roman Abramovich never really wanted him in the first place.

Like several papers, it expects his replacement to be Russian coach Guus Hiddink or AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti.

"Big Phil's very big cheque" is the Independent's take which focuses on the reputed £7m he is being paid to quit.