Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 30 May 2014

1. CLEGG TOLD TO SACK VINCE CABLE

Nick Clegg is coming under pressure to sack Vince Cable, according to the Daily Telegraph. Lib Dem colleagues say Cable should be stripped of his role as business secretary over his connection to a plot to undermine the party leader. Although Clegg has said he “absolutely” would not sack Cable over the plot, his refusal is being seen as weakness by some in the party.

Plot to oust Clegg: Vince Cable still insists: 'I am not a traitor'

2. CHILCOT CENSORS BLAIR LETTERS

The inquiry into the Iraq war has been condemned for its decision to censor more than 150 crucial messages between Tony Blair and George W Bush. Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, has vetoed the release of letters and phone calls of the two leaders in the run-up to the 2003 conflict. Families of British soldiers killed in the conflict say they feel betrayed.

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

Chilcot Inquiry: why Blair-Bush messages will be censored

3. PROSTITUTES AND DRUGS 'WORTH £10BN'

Prostitutes and drug dealers are to boost Britain’s economic recovery. The two industries will be included in the national accounts for the first time, reports the Financial Times. The move will help add 5% to the UK’s gross domestic product. The Office for National Statistics said prostitution could add £5.3bn to GDP and illegal drugs could add £4.4bn.

Drugs and prostitutes to boost economy by £10bn

4. BARTON: UKIP 'BEST OF FOUR UGLY GIRLS'

Footballer Joey Barton sparked controversy last night when he compared voting for Ukip to choosing the best of four ugly girls. The QPR midfielder's comment on Question Time was denounced by Ukip MEP Louise Bours, a fellow panellist. She said: "What an offensive thing to say... footballers' brains are in their feet." Barton later apologised on Twitter.

Joey Barton's best and worst tweets

5. NHS CHIEF: WE NEED MORE SMALL HOSPITALS

The new chief of the NHS has called for an increase in small community hospitals, particularly in the care of elderly patients. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Simon Stevens signalled a significant change in policy by calling for the shift away from larger, centralised hospitals. He said the health service is at a “defining moment”.

New NHS chief calls for small hospitals and better local care

6. POLICE FIRED OVER INDIA GANG RAPE

Two policemen in India have been fired and charged with criminal conspiracy over the case of two teenage girls who were gang raped and hanged from a tree. The father of one of the teenagers says the policemen “refused to look for my girl” when they discovered he was from a lower caste. The girls, aged 14 and 16, were attacked in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

7. PIGGIN TERROR TRIAL COLLAPSES

The jury in the trial of a teenager who planned a "Columbine-style massacre" in Loughborough has failed to reach a verdict. Michael Piggin was accused of two counts of terrorism involving plans to attack his former school, a mosque and a cinema. He earlier pleaded guilty to possessing explosives. The prosecution has not asked for a retrial.

8. MERIAM GIVES BIRTH IN PRISON CHAINS

Sudan has been accused of sliding back to the “dark ages” after it emerged that a woman sentenced to hang for marrying a Christian gave birth while chained to the floor of a cell. Officers refused to release Meriam Ibrahim from her chains when she went into labour on Wednesday. Her child, named Maya, will remain with her until her death sentence is carried out in two years’ time.

Meriam Ibrahim freed by Sudanese court

9. UK ON COURSE FOR THIRD WARMEST SPRING

The UK is on course for its third warmest spring since records began says the Met Office, with an average March-to-May temperature of 8.97C. Only the springs of 2007 and 2011 have been warmer. Scotland could even register its hottest spring ever, while temperatures across the UK have now been above average for the last six months.

10. HOT TICKET: POLANSKI FILM VENUS IN FUR

Roman Polanski's new French-language drama Venus in Fur opens in UK cinemas today. Emmanuelle Seigner (Polanski's wife) and Mathieu Amalric star in the story of an actress who turns the tables on her director while auditioning for a role in a play about masochism. "Playful and literate," says Variety.

Venus in Fur – reviews of Polanski's 'playful' new film