Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 14 Jun 2020

1. More than 100 arrests during violence at London protest

More than 100 people were arrested during a day of clashes in central London, says the Metropolitan Police. Police were attacked by demonstrators, some of whom were far-right activists, and a man was seen urinating next to a memorial of PC Keith Palmer, who was killed in the 2017 Westminster attack. Meanwhile, a number of peaceful anti-racism protests were held in London and around the country.

2. Pressure is growing on Hancock over care home deaths

Pressure is growing on the government over its record on care homes as 800 families whose relatives have died with coronavirus called for a public inquiry. Human rights lawyer Leanne Devine, who represented families following the Hillsborough disaster, says hundreds of families “want the truth”. MPs, families and campaigners have dismissed Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s claim he threw a protective ring around the homes.

3. Johnson ready to scrap two-metre rule after jobs warning

Boris Johnson is to pave the way for the abolition of the two-metre separation rule by taking personal control of the decision to scrap it, claims the Mail on Sunday. As figures from the hospitality sector warn it will be hit by millions of job losses, the prime minister has reportedly commissioned a review which will effectively claim control of Covid-19 social distancing guidance from scientists.

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4. Poll finds more than half of Brits support Brexit extension

More than half of people in Britain support an extension to the Brexit transition period, according to a new survey. Researchers from the Health Foundation also found that three-quarters believe the UK should work very closely with the EU to combat coronavirus. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove formally told the EU on Friday that the UK would not ask for a delay.

5. Beijing back under lockdown after burst of new cases

Parts of Beijing have been put under strict lockdown measures after the city's first coronavirus cases in more than 50 days. The outbreak has been linked to a wholesale market in the Chinese capital. A total of 45 people out of 517 tested at the Xinfadi market tested positive for Covid-19, a district official said. None were displaying symptoms.

6. Atlanta chief steps down after shooting of Rayshard Brooks

Atlanta's Police Chief has stepped down after the fatal shooting of a 27-year-old African-American who had fallen asleep in his car at a drive-through restaurant. According to the authorities, Rayshard Brooks was shot by a police officer during a struggle on Friday evening. There have been demonstrations in Atlanta as protesters took to the streets calling for action following Brooks' death.

7. Did a hotel worker help Brückner target McCann?

A hotel worker may have helped Christian Brückner target the apartment where Madeleine McCann was asleep. Hans Christian Wolters, the prosecutor spear-heading the investigation, claims that a member of the Ocean Club staff made a phone call on the night of the girl’s disappearance to tip off the new prime suspect, Christian Brückner, who has been linked to at least four unsolved child disappearances around Europe.

8. Government scraps plans to allow easy gender changes

Proposals to allow people to change their legal gender and “self-identify” as a different sex have been abandoned. Boris Johnson’s team in No 10 have scrapped plans developed under Theresa May’s government to allow transgender people to change their birth certificates without a medical diagnosis. The Sunday Times says the move “will fuel the culture war gripping Britain”.

9. Johnson accused of failing Britain's schoolchildren

Boris Johnson has been accused of putting children’s basic right to education at risk. Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England, warned there was a “very dangerous” threat to the historic right to guaranteed education. Labour is to present a bill calling for 1.3 million poorer children to be given internet access and a laptop to help tackle the attainment gap.

10. Lucas and Walliams apologise for Little Britain sketches

Matt Lucas and David Walliams have apologised for playing characters of different ethnic backgrounds in the comedy show Little Britain. The comedy duo said they “regret that we played characters of other races”. They added: “Once again we want to make it clear that it was wrong and we are very sorry.” Earlier this week Little Britain was removed from BBC iPlayer, Netflix and BritBox.