'Labour MEP calls for Europe-wide ban on 'dangerous' Buckfast tonic wine'

A Scots Labour MEP yesterday called for a Europe-wide ban on Buckfast. Catherine Stihler urged a powerful European Parliament committee to impose an all-out ban on alcoholic drinks which also include caffeine. The move follows growing concern over Buckfast tonic wine. The drink is 15 per cent alcohol and contains as much caffeine as eight cans of cola in a standard bottle. Buckfast's distributors insist the product has become a scapegoat for anti-social behaviour. - Daily Record ​

The racing tycoons JP McManus and John Magnier have waded into the fight at Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) by calling for those responsible for the £500 million of hedging losses to be pursued for the money. Elpida, the duo's investment vehicle, has written to the board of the pub company before tomorrow's annual meeting confirming that it will vote its 17.6 per cent holding "to achieve a new independent board", thereby aligning itself with Joe Lewis, the billionaire trader at the centre of the spat - The Times ​

Boozy rocker Shane MacGowan is teaming up with pals including Johnny Depp to record his own Haiti single. The Pogues ace, 52, has also signed Depp's partner Vanessa Paradis, Primal Scream singer Bobby Gillespie and crooner Nick Cave for the cover of 1956 hit I Put A Spell On You - The Sun ​

Britain has finally escaped from the deepest recession on record - but only by the smallest possible margin. Official figures revealed yesterday that GDP - economic output - rose by 0.1 per cent between October and December - The Sun ​

A ban on the display of tobacco in shops across Scotland is expected to be approved today by MSPs as part of a wide-ranging package of measures to reduce smoking. MSPs from all parties have agreed with doctors that display bans are necessary to reduce the number of young people taking up smoking - Scotsman​