Charles Kennedy’s former deputy Menzies Campbell was today clear favourite to succeed him as Liberal Democrat leader.

Charles Kennedy bowed to the inevitable today and resigned as Liberal Democrat leader, two days after admitting a drink problem.

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.

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.

Conservative leader Michael Howard called for new anti-terror measures when he met the British Prime Minister at Downing Street today.

The family of one of the London suicide bombers today said he may have been “brainwashed” into carrying out such an evil act.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Home Secretary Charles Clarke are to hold a series of summits designed to pave the way for agreement on new anti-terror laws.

THE governing British Labour Party is expected to win a record third term in office in upcoming elections, but a loss of trust in leader Tony Blair and a revamped opposition may severely reduce their grip on power.

THERE are more than 200 al-Qaida-trained terrorists walking the streets of Britain in a threat which “thrives”, the country’s former police chief warned yesterday.

The British government today signalled it will offer no more significant concessions to critics of its proposals to impose restrictions including house arrest on suspected terrorists.

Britain’s former top policeman today vigorously defended the UK government’s controversial anti-terror plans – and attacked opponents for failing to understand “the brutal reality of the world we live in”.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government today unveiled a packed programme for Parliament with security at its centre – setting the scene for an election expected next year.

The security of the British parliament was in question today after two anti-war demonstrators were able to climb the Big Ben clock tower and stage a five-hour protest.

Unemployed immigrants from the new European Union states will be barred from claiming most welfare payments in the UK for at least two years, it was confirmed today.

Policing illusionist David Blaine’s 44-day starvation stunt cost more than £64,000 (€93,130), the British Home Office said tonight.