Theresa May yesterday refused to placate Brexiteers by giving a firm promise that the so-called “backstop” relationship between the UK and EU will only be temporary. She has been accused of fudging the issue, despite including a date in her Brexit plans at the insistence of David Davis beyond which the agreement will not apply.
Daily Briefing
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May refuses to guarantee backstop temporary
Boris Johnson: ‘There may be Brexit meltdown’
Remarks made by Boris Johnson at a private dinner have been leaked to the press – and include him observing he is becoming “increasingly admiring” of Donald Trump. Johnson also exposes the depth of Cabinet divisions over Brexit, calling the Treasury “the heart of Remain”, and says there “may now be a meltdown” as the UK leaves the EU.
Canada moves closer to legalising cannabis use
Canada took an important step towards making the recreational use of cannabis legal yesterday, with senators voting 56 to 30 in favour, with one abstention. The Commons will now consider and vote on the proposal, with the vote expected to be close. The Trudeau government has sought the support of indigenous senators to pass the bill.
MPs warn England fans will be unsafe in Russia
MPs have warned that England football fans will be at risk of homophobic, racist and anti-British attacks when they travel to Russia for the World Cup. The foreign affairs committee says police and the Foreign Office have only offered “vague reassurance” to the more than 10,000 fans planning to travel to Russia for the tournament next week.
Tesco boss blames retail woes on business rates
The chief executive of Tesco has blamed the collapse of some other retailers in part on changes to the rates that businesses pay on their premises introduced last year. Dave Lewis said increased rates had played a “large part” in closing some firms. He said the rates did not create a “level playing field” between online and physical retailers.
Facebook privacy glitch ‘affected 14 million’
Facebook has admitted that a software problem means 14 million users may have accidentally posted information to the public when they had previously chosen to keep it visible only to friends. The bug was active between 18 and 22 May on the giant social network. Head of privacy Erin Egan apologised and said the glitch was a “mistake”.
BT chief executive Gavin Patterson to step down
The chief executive of telecoms giant BT is to step down in the second half of this year after 14 years with the firm. Gavin Patterson will not now receive his “incentive share plan award”, the firm says, after his remuneration was criticised. Shares in BT are at a six-year low and the firm is to cut 13,000 jobs in an attempt to restructure.
New Daily Mail editor to be staunch remainer
The new editor of the Daily Mail, after 26 years of Paul Dacre being in charge, is staunchly opposed to Brexit. Geordie Greig, the current editor of the Mail on Sunday, is to take over from Dacre. According to The Guardian, the decision is an attempt to “detoxify” the Mail’s image after controversy over recent pro-Brexit attacks on public figures.
Michael McIntyre makes light of robbery
Comedian Michael McIntyre yesterday joked to a live audience about being robbed in north London on Monday. The 42-year-old was targeted by two men on a moped who smashed the windows of his Range Rover and made off with his Rolex watch. He told fans watching a show in Ireland: “I could have done with you – 9,000 Dubliners.”
Briefing: what difference will Heathrow's new runway make?
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has confirmed the government’s plans for a third runway at Heathrow, and MPs are expected to vote on the proposal in the next three weeks.
A third runway at Heathrow “was given the green light in 2016, but remains a controversial matter for nearby residents, politicians from all parties, environmentalists and business leaders”, says Sky News.
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