Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 24 Dec 2012

1. TORY MPS TURN ON MET POLICE CHIEF

High-ranking Conservative MPs are at loggerheads with the Metropolitan police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, with one saying the police chief is "completely compromised" over his response to the 'plebgate' saga. Hogan-Howe has promised to launch a "ruthless search for the truth" of the confrontation between Andrew Mitchell and Downing Street officers.

2. AFGHANISTAN: FEAR OF HARRY REVENGE HIT

Terrorists could increase the bounty on the head of Prince Harry after a report emerged claiming he killed a Taliban chief. The Sun claims Harry was part of the Apache gunship crew which eliminated the commander with a Hellfire missile. Experts say jihadists will see a hit on the royal as ideal high-profile revenge for the mission.

3. HEAVY RAIN LASHES FLOOD-HIT BRITAIN

A fresh onslaught of heavy rain will sweep across England and Wales on Christmas Eve, bringing renewed flood chaos. Almost 150 flood warnings and more than 260 flood alerts are in place in England and Wales, mostly in the south-west and Midlands. Hundreds have evacuated their homes and transport is being disrupted on rail and roads.

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4. PAUL DANIELS ADMITS SCHOOLGIRL CLINCH

Paul Daniels has admitted he enjoyed an amorous hug with a "tiddly" schoolgirl he picked up in his car during the 1970s. Writing on his blog, the television magician says: “I kissed her goodnight and it got a bit more passionate. Thank God it didn’t get too passionate because something she said sent a shiver down my spine — she said she was still at school.”

5. CAMERON QUOTES BIBLE IN XMAS MESSAGE

David Cameron will quote from the Bible's Gospel of John as he pays tribute to the UK's armed forces in his Christmas message. The Queen's message will speak of the ''skill, dedication, training and teamwork'' of the athletes at London 2012. In the message, which will be broadcast in 3D, she will look back fondly at a "splendid summer of sport".

6. HOAX NURSE 'TRIED SUICIDE BEFORE'

Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who was found hanged after taking a prank call while the Duchess of Cambridge was in her hospital, had tried to kill herself twice before the hoax controversy, according to reports in India. Saldanha took an overdose of pills last December and then threw herself off a building days later.

7. BORIS BIGS UP FIFTY SHADES AND GANGNAM

London mayor Boris Johnson has described the Gangnam Style video and Fifty Shades of Grey novels as "the Everest and Annapurna of this year’s artistic achievement". Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the mayor said: "Above all, both Fifty Shades and Gangnam have exposed things we never dreamt of about the way the world really is."

8. HILLSBOROUGH SINGLE TOPS XMAS CHART

The Hillsborough charity single, He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother, is the Christmas number one. Featuring stars including Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney, the single is raising funds for families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough in 1989. It sold 269,000 copies, 45,000 more than X Factor winner James Arthur's single Impossible, which is at number two.

9. WILL EARLY ONLINE SALES RUIN XMAS?

Leading online retailers have brought their Boxing Day sales forward to Christmas Eve, prompting fears they could wreck Christmas for families. Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and PC World start their online sales today, with Amazon's following on Christmas morning. Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey said: "Christmas Day is a time to be together with the family."

10. VAN PERSIE 'LUCKY TO BE ALIVE' SAYS FERGIE

Sir Alex Ferguson says Robin van Persie is "lucky to be alive" after Ashley Williams kicked the ball at the Dutchman's head as he lay on the pitch during the 1-1 draw with Swansea. Ferguson described Williams's act as "disgraceful". Elsewhere, Chelsea walloped Aston Villa 8-0, with Fernando Torres continuing his renaissance with the opening strike.