Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 19 Aug 2018

1. Fashion mogul donates £1m to People's Vote campaign

A co-founder of the fashion label Superdry has donated £1m to the campaign for another European Union referendum. Julian Dunkerton said he supports the People's Vote campaign, a cross-party group that is calling for a vote on the final Brexit deal, because "we have a genuine chance to turn this around". However, the government has ruled out another referendum.

2. NHS kept using 'danger syringes' to save money

The NHS has knowingly put thousands of patients’ lives at risk for at least eight years by deploying syringe pumps that fell short of internationally recognised minimum safety standards. The Sunday Times says up to nine patient deaths occurred because Britain carried on using the cheaper equipment despite its clear risks after other countries had decided to stop using it.

3. Islamophobic messages on Boris Johnson's Facebook page

The Sunday Times reveals that Boris Johnson’s official Facebook page hosts hundreds of Islamophobic messages. The MP’s followers have posted comments including calls to ban Islam and deport Muslims. Among the messages are calls for "no Muslims in government, police or army". A source close to Johnson said he "totally condemns the hateful views".

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4. Tributes paid to 'guiding force' Kofi Annan

Tributes have been paid to former UN secretary-general and Nobel laureate Kofi Annan, who has died at the age of 80. The current UN chief Antonio Guterres described him as "a guiding force for good" and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the memory of Annan would "forever live in the hearts of Russians". Theresa May said Annan "made a huge contribution".

5. Police using civilians to investigate murder and rape

Police are relying on a growing number of civilians to investigate serious crimes including murder and sexual assault, reveals the Sunday Telegraph. Data obtained under the Freedom of Information legislation shows hundreds of civilian staff have been trained to work on investigations into a string of crimes, including child abuse and terrorism. Forces are blaming government cuts.

6. Birmingham man charged after Westminster attack

A man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly driving a car through crowds outside Parliament. Salih Khater, 29, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow. The Sudanese-born British citizen is accused of driving his car into cyclists, pedestrians and officers, before crashing into the barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. Three people were injured in the incident on Tuesday morning.

7. Thousands cleared for child work without checks

As many as 20,000 people have been cleared to work with children and vulnerable adults without going through full security checks, reports The Sunday Times. Leaked paperwork reveals that senior Metropolitan police officers decided temporarily to avoid delays. Critics say the decision risked allowing another Ian Huntley, the Soham murderer, to slip through the net.

8. Uber judge steps aside over conflict of interest

The judge in Uber’s London legal battle has stepped aside over husband’s links to firm. Emma Arbuthnot, who gave a licence back to the ride-hailing app, has withdrawn from hearing further appeals by the company after The Observer raised questions into links between her husband and the company. Her husband works for a strategy firm that has advised one of Uber’s largest investors.

9. Childhood passive smoking 'increases lung risk'

Non-smokers have an increased risk of dying from serious lung disease if they grew up with parents who smoked, according to a new study in America. Childhood passive smoking was found to be "likely to add seven deaths to every 100,000 non-smoking adults dying annually". The British Lung Foundation said: "Passive smoking has a lasting impact well beyond childhood."

10. Government to publish first no-deal advice next week

The government is set to publish the first in a series of technical notices to prepare the public for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. Dominic Raab, the Brexit Secretary, said agreeing a deal was "the most likely outcome" but added that preparing for the alternative was the "responsible" thing to do. The notices will include advice for businesses, citizens and public bodies. The first is published on Thursday.