Gordon Brown tonight announced he will resign as Labour leader – but offered to stay on as British Prime Minister in a potential power-sharing government with the Liberal Democrats until his party has chosen a successor.

WITH his slim features, impeccable manners and winning smile, 44-year-old Abhisit Vejjajiva appeared like a boy sent to do a man’s job. The Thai prime minister was passing through Europe last month trying to reassure international investors and I was asked along to hear him speak.

Pressure is growing on the Northern Rock board today after one of the two bidders for the bank threatened to pull out unless a takeover decision is made before Christmas.

Sir Menzies Campbell tonight dramatically quit as leader of Britain's Liberal Democrat Party, blaming Gordon Brown’s decision to cancel a snap election for his decision to quit.

Unconfirmed reports have named Menzies Campbell as the new leader of the Liberal Democrat party.

Sir Menzies Campbell, a leading contender for leadership of Britain’s Liberal Democrat Party, today ruled out coalition talks with Labour or the Conservatives if he won the contest.

Preliminary results from a newspaper poll today indicated just 27% of Britain's Liberal Democrat party members wanted Charles Kennedy to lead them into the next election.

INTERNATIONAL reports on alcohol abuse invariably turn the spotlight on Ireland and, according to the latest survey, Irish people are drinking themselves to death.

Beleaguered British Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy today vowed to fight on in his bid to remain in charge of the party.

THE leader of Britain’s third largest party last night confessed to a drink problem as he challenged his critics within the Liberal Democrat party to face him in a leadership battle.

Charles Kennedy tonight confessed to a drink problem as he challenged his critics within the Liberal Democrat party to face him in a leadership battle.