PRESSURE intensified on ITV bosses to take responsibility for the spate of phone-in scandals yesterday after chairman Michael Grade admitted he would have resigned if he had been chief executive at the time of the deceit.

Crimes motivated by religious hatred have jumped by nearly 600% in London since the July 7 bombings.

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.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair today expressed his “full confidence” in his Home Secretary David Blunkett, as he faced demands for a judicial inquiry into claims that he abused his position to help his lover.

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.

British military aircraft have been patrolling the skies above London as part of the latest operation to guard against a terrorist attack, Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed today.