British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s hopes of political survival suffered a fresh blow tonight as a poll of Labour activists found fewer than half wanted him to carry on to the next general election.

Gordon Brown today handed potential rival Alan Johnson the post of Home Secretary as he began his make-or-break reshuffle – which also saw another cabinet minister quit.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was today facing a fight for his political life after James Purnell dramatically quit the cabinet and urged him to stand down for the good of the Labour Party.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was today faced with the task of picking up the pieces of his shattered cabinet and fashioning a reshuffle which can restore his authority and preserve his premiership.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was put under further pressure to step down tonight as Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell dramatically announced he was quitting the Cabinet as polls closed in crunch elections.

Jaguar Racing have told their Formula One rivals to keep their hands off Mark Webber.

Mark Webber has been hailed as a potential world champion of the future, with his Jaguar boss claiming the Australian is “in the Michael Schumacher league”.

The defence official at the centre of the row over the British government’s Iraq arms dossier bled to death, police said today.

A teenage boy was fighting for his life in hospital today after a three-pronged harpoon was shot into his eye during a late night row.

Lord Archer was the victim of an ‘‘unbalanced’’ trial on charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice, the Court of Appeal heard today.

Lord Archer today declined to give evidence at his Old Bailey trial - but his barrister warned the jury not to draw any ‘‘adverse inferences’’ from his decision.

The former secretary of Jeffrey Archer has told the Old Bailey that he was "extremely unpredictable".