Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 19 May 2019

1. May to put ‘new, bold offer’ to MPs for withdrawal vote

Theresa May is promising a “new, bold offer to MPs” to get backing for her withdrawal agreement bill. Extra protections for workers are expected to be among the proposals as the PM tries to win over the support of Labour MPs. Writing in The Sunday Times, she said she will “not be simply asking MPs to think again” on the same deal that they have already rejected.

2. Congressman is first Republican to back Trump impeachment

A Michigan congressman has called for Donald Trump to be impeached, becoming the first Republican to join the Democrats in demanding Congress move against the US President. Justin Amash said special counsel Robert Mueller had in his investigation of Russian election interference identified “multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice”.

3. Nearly 1,500 claims of sexual misconduct against police

Almost 1,500 accusations of sexual misconduct have been made against police officers in England and Wales over six years, reveals The Observer. Of these allegations 371 were upheld, resulting in the sacking or resignation of 197 officers, special constables and PCSOs. The allegations include sexual harassment, exploitation of crime victims and child abuse.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. Labor Party leader concedes defeat in Australian election

Australia's opposition Labor Party leader Bill Shorten has conceded defeat in the country's election. He said: “While there are still millions of votes to count and important seats yet to be finalised, it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government.” Conservative Scott Morrison was a few seats away from a majority as the final votes were counted this morning.

5. Uber probed by taxman over claim of £1bn in unpaid tax

Uber is being investigated by HMRC over allegations it owes more than £1bn in unpaid tax. The ride-hailing app company does not pay 20% VAT on fares because it says it only acts as a digital intermediary between its self-employed drivers and passengers. However, the taxman is investigating whether Uber is a transportation company and should therefore pay VAT.

6. Labour in panic as Remainer voters head to the Lib Dems

Senior Labour figures are panicking amid warnings that the party’s stance on Brexit is helping to “detoxify the Lib Dems,” claims The Observer. Opinion polls make Vince Cable’s party the favourite for Remainers and puts it in first place in London. One senior frontbencher said: “Labour should take the Lib Dem revival seriously.”

7. Scuffles break out at Tommy Robinson event in Oldham

Two police vehicles were damaged during an outbreak of violence at a Tommy Robinson campaign event. Social media footage showed scuffles between supporters of the far-right activist and counter-demonstrators in Oldham, Greater Manchester. A live video from the Muslim Defence League showed a group of Asian men standing and shouting at the opposing crowd across a police blockade.

8. Madonna in hot water as Netherlands wins Eurovision

The Netherlands has won Eurovision and Madonna has stoked controversy by showing Israeli and Palestinian flags during her performance. Duncan Laurence won the singing contest with 492 points, edging out Italy's act, who had 465 points. Organisers said Madonna’s flag moment had not been part of the approved act and that the star had been “made aware” the event is “non-political”.

9. Daughter of Rich List heads slams ‘toxic’ bankers

The daughter of one of Britain’s richest men says bankers create a “toxic culture” for women. Shanu Hinduja, whose father, Sri, and uncle Gopi, topped The Sunday Times Rich List, said: “I all too often witness the toxic culture for women in the banking sector. We are underrepresented at all levels of the global financial system.”

10. Cocaine use soaring in UK according to waste water study

Cocaine use has more than doubled in five years as purity has hit a record high, according to analysis of Britain’s waste water. Tests found users in London are taking almost 200,000 doses of the drug every day. Concentrations in waste water have risen from 392 miligrammes per 1,000 of the population per day in 2011 to 900 miligrammes per 1,000.