June 1 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Monday, with futuresFFIc1 down 0.3%.

* BP: BP BP.L recently ousted chairman Albert Manifold clashed with fellow director Simon Henry earlier this year over the handling of sensitive talks related to a potential deal, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

* RIO TINTO: Rio Tinto RIO.L, RIO.AX said on Friday it has started commissioning its $1.5 billion low-carbon aluminium smelter expansion in the Canadian province of Quebec.

* PERSHING SQUARE: Universal Music Group's UMG.AS board on Friday unanimously rejected an unsolicited takeover proposal from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management PSHP.L, saying it was not in the best interests of shareholders, artists, or the company.

* EASYJET: U.S.-based investment firm Castlelake, L.P. on Friday said it is in early stages of considering a possible offer for British budget carrier Easyjet EZJ.L.

* UK BUSINESS: British businesses remain downbeat about the economic outlook for the months to come, according to a survey from the Confederation of British Industry, although a separate Institute of Directors survey showed smaller firms were less negative.

* COMMODITIES: Oil prices rose more than 2% in early trading on Monday, while gold inched lower, and London copper ticked higher.

* FTSE: UK indexes marked a second straight month of gains on Friday, buoyed by hopes that the U.S. and Iran were nearing a deal to extend their ceasefire.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

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