Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 15 Sep 2019

1. Cameron says Boris only backed Leave to boost career

David Cameron says that Boris Johnson did not believe in Brexit during the referendum campaign, backed Leave “because it would help his political career” and was “certain the Brexit side would lose”. In his memoir, the former prime minister also describes Michael Gove as “a foam-flecked Faragist” for his claims that millions of Turks could move to the UK.

2. Former Conservative MP joins the Liberal Democrats

The former Tory MP Sam Gyimah has joined the Liberal Democrats. The East Surrey MP was one of the 21 Conservatives who had the whip removed after rebelling against Boris Johnson in a bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Six MPs have defected to the Lib Dems in recent weeks, including former Tory MP Philip Lee, and ex-Labour MPs Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna.

3. Gareth Thomas ‘forced’ to reveal he is HIV positive

Former rugby player Gareth Thomas has revealed he is living with HIV, having kept the diagnosis a secret for years. After the 45-year-old disclosed that he has the virus during an interview with the Sunday Mirror, he announced on his Twitter page that he had been “forced” to make the admission. He said “evils” were “threatening to tell you before I do”.

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4. US blames Iran for drone attack on oil processing facility

Washington has blamed Tehran for a drone attack on the world's largest oil processing facility and another major oilfield. The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, described the attack as “unprecedented” and blamed Iran despite Yemen's Houthi rebels claiming responsibility. The attack has affected almost half of Saudi Arabia's oil output.

5. Man, 30, dies of stab wounds in North London

A man has died after being found with stab wounds in north London. The Metropolitan police said officers discovered the 30-year-old with serious injuries in Edmonton shortly after 8.10pm on Saturday. Although the ambulance service was also called to the incident, the man died at the scene shortly after 9pm. Police arrested a 40-year-old man.

6. Dozens of dead bodies found in a well in Mexico

At least 44 bodies have been discovered buried in a well in Mexico. The human remains were hidden in 119 black bags in the well, just outside the city of Guadalajara. They were discovered when local residents started complaining about a smell. The BBC says Jalisco is the heartland of one of Mexico's most violent drug gangs.

7. Transgender group calls for puberty-blockers for kids

A transgender lobby group has told teachers in a training session that children as young as 12 who question their gender identity should be offered hormones to block puberty. A trainer for the group Mermaids said giving puberty blockers to gender-dysphoric children gave them “immense relief” and was “completely reversible”. An Oxford academic said the advice was “misleading and potentially dangerous”.

8. New storm hits the beleaguered Bahamas islands

A new storm has brought torrential rain to the Bahamas two weeks after Hurricane Dorian devastated the islands. The storm, Tropical Depression Nine, strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto on Friday night, as it arrived at the beleaguered islands. It is now slowly moving north away from the Bahamas but is expected to steer clear of America’s coastline.

9. Boris compares Brexit Britain to the Incredible Hulk

Boris Johnson has compared the UK to the Incredible Hulk as his government seeks to leave the European Union. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday, the prime minister said the country would break out of its “manacles” like the chunky, green-skinned superhero. “Hulk always escaped, no matter how tightly bound in he seemed to be,” he remarked.

10. Extinction Rebellion leader arrested for second time

A co-founder of Extinction Rebellion has been arrested for the second time in three days after trying to fly a drone near Heathrow Airport during an environmental protest. Roger Hallam was detained on Saturday, just days after he was arrested during a pre-emptive wave of arrests ahead of the climate change action. Activists say they are happy about the “conversation” caused by their protests.