FORMER taoiseach Charles Haughey was spending more than double his official entertainment allowance on wining and dining visiting dignitaries within weeks of his infamous “living beyond our means” speech.

THE hypocrisy of former taoiseach Charles Haughey is among the more sordid aspects of Irish political life. The sheer duplicity of his infamous admonition that as a people we were “living beyond our means” is unbelievable.

BRITISH Home Secretary Alan Johnson yesterday signalled that Labour would be prepared to open up discussions with the Liberal Democrats on reform of the voting system in the event of a hung parliament.

IN August 1979, Margaret Thatcher, referring to New York governor Hugh Carey’s visit to Ireland amid reports that he was planning to put pressure on the British government over Northern Ireland, said she “would not think of discussing with President Carter, for example, US policy towards their black population”.

LABOUR MP George Galloway is no stranger to controversy. He once flew the Palestinian flag from Dundee's council offices, when he was a local representative there.

MANCHESTER UNITED star Roy Keane has yet another title to chase this season the Book of the Year Award.

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday led tributes to the former Labour Home Secretary and Chancellor Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, who died suddenly at the age of 82.