>I have to object to The Guardian's use of scare quotes in the title...

I've noticed it's quite standard in English publications to use quotes around allegations, even if no one really believes the other side.

Not sure if this is just custom, or something to do with the stricter libel laws...

e: Here is a post on the language log that goes into the matter. (Make sure to read the comments.)

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=1017

Comment from a headline writer: http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=1017#comment-18782