Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 8 Jun 2018

1. May refuses to guarantee backstop temporary

Theresa May yesterday refused to placate Brexiteers by giving a firm promise that the so-called “backstop” relationship between the UK and EU will only be temporary. The Prime Minister has been accused of fudging the issue, despite including a date in her Brexit plans, at the insistence of David Davis, beyond which the agreement will not apply.

2. Boris Johnson warns of ‘Brexit meltdown’

Remarks made by Boris Johnson at a private dinner have been leaked to the press – and include the Foreign Secretary admitting that he is becoming “increasingly admiring” of Donald Trump. Johnson also exposed the depth of cabinet divisions over Brexit, calling the Treasury “the heart of Remain”, and said there “may now be a meltdown” as the UK leaves the EU.

3. Canada moves closer to legalising cannabis use

Canada took an important step towards making the recreational use of cannabis legal yesterday, with senators voting 56 to 30 in favour, and one abstention. The country’s House of Commons will now consider and vote on the proposal, with the vote expected to be close. The Trudeau government has sought the support of indigenous senators to pass the bill.

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4. MPs warn England fans will be unsafe in Russia

MPs have warned that England football fans may be at risk of homophobic, racist and anti-British attacks when they travel to Russia for the World Cup. The Foreign Affairs Aommittee says Foreign Office officials have offered only “vague reassurances” to the more than 10,000 fans planning to travel to Russia for the tournament.

5. Tesco boss blames retail woes on business rates

The chief executive of Tesco has blamed the collapse of some other retailers on the increase in rates that businesses pay on their premises, introduced last year. Dave Lewis said the higher rates had played a “large part” in closing some firms, and did not create a “level playing field” between online and physical retailers.

6. Facebook privacy glitch ‘affected 14 million’

Facebook has admitted that a software problem resulted in 14 million users’ privacy settings being switched to public without their knowledge. The bug - which meant many users accidentally made messages public rather than seen only by their friends - affected the social network’ s service between 18 and 22 May. Head of privacy Erin Egan apologised and said the glitch was a “mistake”.

7. BT chief executive Gavin Patterson to step down

The chief executive of telecoms giant BT is to step down in the second half of 2018, following 14 years with the firm. Gavin Patterson will not now receive his “incentive share plan award”, the firm says, after his remuneration was criticised. Shares in BT are at a six-year low and the firm is to cut 13,000 jobs in an attempt to restructure.

8. Staunch Remainer to take over as Daily Mail editor

The man set to take over at the Daily Mail following Paul Dacre’s 26-year reign as editor is staunchly opposed to Brexit. Geordie Greig, currently editor of The Mail on Sunday, will replace Dacre in November. According to The Guardian, the move is an attempt to “detoxify” the Mail’s image following controversy over its recent pro-Brexit attacks on public figures.

9. Michael McIntyre makes light of robbery

Comedian Michael McIntyre yesterday joked to a live audience about being robbed by moped-riding thieves in north London on Monday. The 42-year-old was targeted by two muggers, who smashed the windows of his Range Rover and rode off with his Rolex watch. He told fans watching a show in Ireland: “I could have done with you – 9,000 Dubliners.”

10. Briefing: what difference will Heathrow’s new runway make?

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has confirmed the government’s plans for a third runway at Heathrow, and MPs are expected to vote on the proposal in the next three weeks.

A third runway at Heathrow “was given the green light in 2016, but remains a controversial matter for nearby residents, politicians from all parties, environmentalists and business leaders”, says Sky News.

Heathrow expansion: what are the pros and cons?