Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 7 Apr 2013

1. BLAIR 'KNEW LIBYA WAS REAL THREAT'

Prior to the Iraq war, Tony Blair was told Iraq had, at most, only a trivial number of weapons of mass destruction, according to evidence given in secret to the Chilcot Inquiry. Intelligence officers testified that Blair “understood” Libya was the real threat, but then returned from a visit to George W Bush “a changed man” and ordered staff to “find the intelligence” to justify war.

2. FARAGE: 'WE'D WORK WITH LABOUR'

UKIP leader Nigel Farage says his party would enter a coalition with Labour after the next election. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, he said: “If we found ourselves in the position post 2015 where we could do a deal that could usher this country’s exit from political union in Brussels, we’d do a deal with the devil.” He says he would also work with a Boris Johnson-led Tory party.

3. WASHINGTON DELAYS MISSILE TEST

The US has delayed a missile test scheduled for next week to avoid inflaming tensions with North Korea. The Pentagon said the US wanted to "avoid any misperception or miscalculation" but some commentators say the delay will be regarded as a victory by Pyongyang. There are fears North Korea could launch a cyber offensive, spreading viruses in US computer networks.

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4. POLICE WIN £70M COMPENSATION

Over 8,000 police officers have successfully claimed compensation worth nearly £70m in the past four years, reveals the Sunday Times. Data released by the Police Federation of England and Wales this weekend has increased perceptions that a 'compensation culture' dominates the force, following the row over a Norfolk policewoman who tried to sue a garage after tripping on a kerb.

5. OUTSIDER WINS GRAND NATIONAL

A 66-1 outsider won the 166th Grand National by nine lengths at Aintree yesterday. Auroras Encore, ridden by Ryan Mania, had been largely overlooked by gamblers after a disappointing series of results. "I got a dream ride round,” said Mania. “I couldn't believe my luck. I couldn't fault the horse. I had a choice of two but I thought I better stay loyal to him."

6. PROFESSOR SLAMS 'INSANE' DRUG LAWS

“Insane” drug laws dealing are hindering medical research, says a former government adviser. Prof David Nutt says he wants to research how the chemical psilocybin - found in magic mushrooms - could treat depression, but is unable to obtain the drug due to “absurd” regulations. Nutt has previously argued that LSD is less harmful than alcohol.

7. CABLE LAUNCHES HBOS BAN ACTION

Business secretary Vince Cable has launched proceedings which could lead to three former directors of HBOS being banned from serving as company directors, reports the BBC. On Friday a report from the Banking Standards Commission blamed Andy Hornby, Lord Stevenson and Sir James Crosby for the bank's 2008 collapse.

8. ROW OVER TEEN TSAR'S TWEETS

Britain's first teenage crime tsar is facing calls to quit after a series of colourful Twitter posts were revealed. Paris Brown, who was appointed to the post to represent young people's views on policing, once wrote: “I want to f****** cut everyone around me.” She also boasted about drugs, alcohol and sex in a series of foul-mouthed postings.

9. LABOUR LINKS WELFARE TO CONTRIBUTION

Labour is considering policies that would reform the welfare system to reward those who give more to their community, says shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne. Writing in The Observer, he says the party wants to "strengthen the principle of contribution" and to rid perceptions it offers a "something-for-nothing" culture.

10. TEN-MAN GUNNERS GO FOURTH

Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion to move into fourth place in the Premier League. Tomas Rosicky scored in both halves as the Gunners, who were reduced to 10 men, won 2-1 at the Hawthorns. Today, Chelsea host Sunderland with interim Blues boss Rafael Benítez reminding his team: “We're playing Sunderland, not Paolo Di Canio.”