Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 6 Oct 2019

1. Boris ‘could defy Queen and squat in Downing Street’

Ministers say Boris Johnson will dare the Queen to sack him rather than resign as prime minister in an attempt to drive through Brexit on October 31. In what The Sunday Times describes as “an unprecedented escalation of the constitutional crisis,” senior aides said the PM was prepared to “squat” in Downing Street if MPs declare no confidence in his government and agree a caretaker PM to replace him.

2. Tabloids ‘destroyed evidence they targeted Prince Harry’

Tabloid newspapers concealed or destroyed evidence that they illegally targeted Prince Harry, according to his unprecedented legal action against two media groups. The royal is joining scores of other people in a group claim that alleges editors and executives at the publishers of the Daily Mirror, The Sun and News of the World mounted what The Guardian describes as an “industrial-scale cover-up” over more than two decades.

3. Amazon under spotlight over injury rate at its warehouse

An ambulance was called to an Amazon warehouse in Britain once every two days last year, reports The Sunday Times. Staff broke bones, collapsed and suffered serious falls. A member of staff fell 10 feet off a walkway and a pregnant woman collapsed. Amazon said it is a safe place to work with fewer incidents than similar businesses.

Subscribe to 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. United Nations calls for end to loss of life in Iraq

The UN has called for an end to the “senseless loss of life” in Iraq as the death toll from recent protests nears 100, with up to 4,000 believed to be injured. Activists say the demonstrations are against unemployment, poor public services and corruption. As the rate of deaths rises, the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, said: “Five days of deaths and injuries: this must stop.”

5. Homeless men beaten to death with metal pipe in NYC

Four homeless men have been beaten to death as they slept in Chinatown in New York city, police say. The suspect, who is also homeless, used a metal pipe for his violent rampage early on Saturday morning. A fifth person was left with serious injuries. Police recovered the weapon, which was still in the suspect's hands when he was arrested.

6. Poll claims Tories have 15-point lead over Labour

The Conservatives have a 15-point lead over Labour following the party conferences, according to a poll in The Observer. Boris Johnson’s party is up two points to 38%, compared with a week ago, while Labour is down one point on 23%. The Liberal Democrats have dropped five points to 15%. One-third of voters also said Johnson would make the best prime minister over Corbyn.

7. Talks between North Korea and US have ended

Talks in Sweden between the United States and North Korea have concluded for the time being, the two countries announced yesterday. Officials from the two nations have painted different pictures of the meeting. The US said there was a “good discussion” but North Korea's top negotiator blamed the stalled talks on Washington, saying “the US would not give up their old viewpoint and attitude”.

8. Leading gangster's body to be exhumed in the US

Officials in Indiana have approved a request to exhume the remains of infamous US gangster John Dillinger. The FBI says its agents shot dead the gangster in Chicago in 1934 and he was then buried in Indiana's state capital but relatives of Dillinger believe an imposter is buried there. The disinterment is now scheduled for 31 December 2019.

9. John Bercow becomes new favourite for caretaker PM role

John Bercow has emerged as the new favourite for caretaker prime minister, as opposition parties plot to form a “government of national unity” composed entirely of prominent backbenchers. The Commons Speaker could take over from Boris Johnson if opposition parties oust the PM with a vote of no confidence. He would lead a “cabinet of all the talents”.

10. Man jailed for manslaughter 19 years after pub punch

A man has been jailed for manslaughter 19 years after paralysing another man with a single punch. Paul Proctor, 47, attacked Mark Wilkie after a row over a taxi outside a pub on August 6, 2000. Wilkie required round-the-clock care until he died two years ago. His sister said: “He was a lovely, happy chap… but was left with years of pain, misery and being unable to do anything himself.”