Portrait of the week | 23 May 2019

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The country went to the polls to elect Members of the European Parliament and express its loathing for the two main political parties. On the eve of polling, Theresa May, the Prime Minister, appealed for MPs’ support for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to be introduced shortly, saying that it would contain a provision for a vote on another referendum. In response, those she meant to woo reacted with hostility. The 1922 Committee had promised to have another little word with her about resigning after the bill’s fortunes became clear. Lord Heseltine had the Tory whip removed after saying he would vote for the Lib Dems in the EU elections. Nigel Farage, the leader of the Brexit party, had a Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake thrown over him in Newcastle; a man was charged with common assault and criminal damage.

Four boats carrying 52 migrants, including at least six children, were intercepted in the Channel, bringing the total since 3 November 2018 to 616, including more than 50 children. The Royal Navy relieved the captain of HMS Queen Elizabeth of his command after he was said to have misused an official car. Police arrested 500 men and 86 women, principally in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cheshire and Bedfordshire, in an operation aimed at so-called ‘county lines’ drug dealers. Oxford University is to offer places to applicants with lower A-level grades if they come from supposedly disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr Keith Wolverson, a GP who asked a Muslim woman if she would remove her face veil, was told by the General Medical Council that he is under investigation for alleged racism.

British Steel sought £75 million in government support to prevent its collapse, but was put into compulsory liquidation. Jamie Oliver’s restaurant group went into administration.