Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 17 Feb 2019

1. May tells Tories 'history will judge' them on Brexit

The Prime Minister has told Conservative MPs to put aside “personal preferences” and support a Brexit deal in the Commons. Theresa May said “history will judge us all” over the handling of Brexit. However, The Sunday Times has published leaked WhatsApp messages revealing that Steve Baker, of the European Research Group, has said Downing Street and Brussels were pretending to negotiate while “working together to run down the clock to force [May’s] deal through”.

2. Passengers stranded after Flybmi collapses into administration

Passengers have become stranded across Europe after the UK regional airline Flybmi collapsed, cancelling all its flights. A Briton stuck in Belgium said the carrier would not refund her fare and she could not afford an alternative. Flybmi has told affected travellers to contact their insurance and credit card companies. It blamed Brexit and rises in fuel and carbon costs for its collapse into administration.

3. Trump tells Europe to take back 800 captured IS fighters

Donald Trump has told his European allies to take back over 800 Islamic State fighters captured in Syria and put them on trial. Taking to Twitter, the US President wrote: “The Caliphate is ready to fall,” adding that: “The alternative is not a good one in that we will be forced to release them.” Washington-backed fighters in Syria are reportedly on the brink of capturing IS’s final enclave on the Euphrates.

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4. Britain's richest man quits in 'tax avoidance plan'

Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been planning to avoid up to £4bn in tax after moving to Monaco, claims The Sunday Times. The outspoken Brexiteer, who built up the chemicals giant Ineos, has reportedly been working with the accountant PwC on the tax avoidance plan which would deprive the Treasury of up to £4bn. He was knighted less than a year ago for his services to business and investment.

5. Home Office 'sells services of immigration chiefs' to firms

The Home Office is selling the services of its immigration officials to private companies, reports The Observer. Internal documents show the department is trying to embed immigration officers at a rate of almost £60 an hour as part of an “enhanced checking service” being offered to public services and private firms. The move is being described as an escalation of the “hostile environment” strategy.

6. Workers face pay cuts in April as new pension rules come in

Millions of workers could see their take-home pay fall in April when the proportion they have to pay into their pension pot rises. Higher contribution rates for those with auto-enrolment pensions begin in six weeks time. For instance, an employee on £30,000 will take home £253 less according to the calculations. There is concern that lower take-home pay could lead people to opt out of saving for a pension.

7. Pence rebukes Europe and praises 'extraordinary' Trump

Mike Pence has attacked European powers over Iran and Venezuela, describing the results of Donald Trump’s presidency as “remarkable” and “extraordinary”. Speaking at the Munich security conference, the vice-president said: “America is stronger than ever before and America is leading on the world stage once again”. He insisted that Washington is “holding Russia accountable”.

8. Fresh 'cash-for-access' scandal brewing for Conservatives

The Tories are ­facing a new “cash-for-access” scandal after offering ­business chiefs private meetings with the Chancellor in return for substantial donations to the party. City figures were being offered membership of a “Chancellor’s Group” that Tories said had the “overt patronage of the Chancellor”, attend post-budget briefings and receive helpful “monthly updates on the economy.”

9. Princess Margaret's to dispel 'party' image of mother

Princess Margaret's son is to write a biography of his mother which will reject portrayals of the Queen's late sister as “an insatiable party-goer and chain-smoking diva,” reports the Mail on Sunday. David Armstrong-Jones has been bothered by TV series The Crown’s depiction of a party-focused woman. He wants to produce a more rounded picture.

10. Academy reverses plan to show some awards during ad breaks

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has reversed its decision to present four awards during the commercial breaks of this year’s Oscar broadcast. After a huge outcry over the plan to shunt the winning speeches for cinematography, film editing, makeup and hairstyling and live-action short to ad breaks, the academy has announced the u-turn in a statement. The ceremony will be held on February 24.