Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 26 May 2013

1. TORY DONORS MULL UKIP DEFECTION

Leading Tory donors are considering jumping shift to UKIP, reports the Sunday Times. Lord Kalms, the multi-millionaire former Tory treasurer, says he is “willing to pack my bags” and join UKIP unless the prime minister takes a tougher stance on Europe. Meanwhile, restless backbenchers are warning Cameron may have to break up the coalition to remain leader.

2. WOOLWICH SUSPECT FACED KENYA COURT

One of the men suspected of killing Lee Rigby appeared in court in Kenya in 2010, suspected of leading a group of Islamists trying to join terrorists in Somalia. Meanwhile, a soldier was stabbed in the neck in Paris yesterday. He was attacked with a small-bladed knife by a man of North African origin who was wearing a light-coloured robe called a djellaba.

3. WIDDECOMBE SLAMS 'BULLYING' HOWARD

In her new memoir, Anne Widdecombe says that Michael Howard, who she once infamously described as having “something of the night” about him, is “gloating”, “vindictive”, “gratuitously vengeful”, “nasty”, and “bullying”. She also says David Cameron is “obsessed with image” and accuses the prime minister of blocking her peerage because she opposed fox hunting.

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. PEERS UNITE AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE

Peers from the three main parties will unite next week in a final attempt to block the government’s introduction of gay marriage. It is expected that dozens of Lords who who rarely attend parliament will flock to Westminster to make their position on homosexual marriage clear. One opponent, Lord Luce, said the issue has been “handled in a very slap happy, careless manner”.

5. 'TIRED' NICK ROSS SPARKS RAPE ROW

Former Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross has sparked anger with his claim that “rape isn’t always rape”. The broadcaster argues that when a woman is drunk, with a boyfriend, or has gone “too far” in leading a man on, it may not be considered rape. Women Against Violence said Ross was expressing “very tired and deeply misogynistic prejudices”.

6. BILLY JOEL BLAMES 9/11 FOR CAR CRASHES

Singer Billy Joel blames three highly-publicised car accidents on depression brought on by the 9/11 terror attacks on his home city of New York. Joel, who entered rehab for his drinking habit in 2005, says the spate of accidents in the two preceeding years “had nothing to do with the booze”. He adds: "My mind wasn't right. I wasn't focused. I went into a deep, deep depression after 9/11.”

7. ANNUAL GP VISIT CAP CONSIDERED

The Conservative Party is considering introducing a cap on the number of times patients can visit their GP in a year. A consultation document asks activists whether they agree or disagree with the idea of an annual limit on GP appointments. It also questions whether evening and weekend appointments are a "luxury the country cannot afford".

8. HEZBOLLAH PROMISES ASSAD VICTORY

The leader of the Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has told his supporters they will prevail in Syria, where they are fighting for president Bashar al-Assad. "This battle is ours... and I promise you victory," said the Lebanese leader in a TV address. At least three people were injured when two rockets hit southern Beirut, targeting a district controlled by the Hezbollah organisation.

9. BOSTON MARATHON FINALLY COMPLETED

Thousands of runners completed the final mile of Boston Marathon yesterday, five weeks after they were forced to abandon the race as two bombs exploded. The event, billed as OneRun, carried the slogan: "We'll get our finish." Three American flags and one Chinese flag were carried in memory of those killed at the race, and the policeman killed days later by the suspects.

10. LATE ROBBEN GOAL SINKS DORTMUND

Arjen Robben scored a dramatic late winner as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley last night. Bayern, who have lost two finals in three years, claimed the crown for the fifth time at the end of a thrilling encounter. “I’ve so many emotions — especially from where we came from last year,” said Robben. “That was such a disappointment.”