Interesting if true

Back page gossip from the 14 June issue of Research Fortnight

Love EU In a fit of frustration over the UK government’s antipathy towards the European Union, the director-general of the European Space Agency has spoken of his “dream” of a united Europe, wondering at a conference why “the hell” he must go through border controls when flying from Brussels to the UK. In response, Colin Paynter, the managing director of Airbus, joked: “Maybe we should take all the UK’s money for the EU and give it to ESA.” He added: “I looked forward to seeing you every other weekend, but now I’d like to see you every day.”

Respect The Netflix political series House of Cards has honoured the thousands who criticised Theresa May’s decision not to participate in the BBC election debate. “They respect you more when you show strength. Or show up,” the show said in a tweet. At the time of going to press, the message had been retweeted more than 17,500 times. Ouch.