Basra’s deputy governor, a key lieutenant to a radical Shiite cleric battling US troops, escaped an assassination attempt today.

Nell McAndrew cut short visits to British troops in Basra because she was unhappy with her accommodation there, it emerged today.

Britain's Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said today that British forces were doing everything they could to assist the rebel elements in Basra.

Fresh reports from Basra suggest that surrender negotiations are underway between local military leaders and US commanders.