Rupert Murdoch believed the power wielded by his newspapers benefited his wider commercial interests, former UK cabinet minister Jack Straw said today.

THE euro is heading for collapse because of the crisis in Greece, and a speedy demise may be better than a “slow death” for the single currency, former foreign secretary Jack Straw warned yesterday.

Libya was given advice by a British government minister on how to secure convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi’s release, it was reported today.

David Miliband’s campaign to become Labour leader received a boost when he was backed by another party heavyweight.

Soham murderer Ian Huntley is suing the prison service after being attacked by another inmate, the Ministry of Justice said.

Britain and the United States should have realised that their intelligence about Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction was suspect, the former head of the United Nations weapons inspectors said today.

The head of the United Nations inspection team which hunted for Saddam Hussein's supposed weapons of mass destruction in the months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq will today give evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry into the war.

JON VENABLES, one of the killers of toddler James Bulger, has been charged with downloading and distributing child pornography, it emerged yesterday.

The British government today ruled out raising the age of criminal responsibility after the Children’s Commissioner argued the killers of James Bulger were too young to have been prosecuted for murder.

BRITISH Justice Secretary Jack Straw met James Bulger’s mother yesterday to discuss the return to prison of her son’s killer Jon Venables.

British Justice Secretary Jack Straw met James Bulger’s mother today, to discuss the return to prison of her son’s killer Jon Venables, a UK Ministry of Justice spokesman confirmed.

British Justice Secretary Jack Straw today defended the granting of new identities to the killers of James Bulger.

Jon Venables would risk being killed by vengeful vigilantes if his new identity is revealed, the judge who granted anonymity to the killers of Liverpool toddler James Bulger has warned.

BRITISH Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday defied calls by the mother of James Bulger for more details about why her son’s killer is back in prison.

Government ministers in Britain are resisting intense pressure to reveal more about the recall to prison of James Bulger killer Jon Venables.

JAMES BULGER’S killer Jon Venables was recalled to prison on suspicion of child porn offences, it was reported yesterday.

James Bulger killer Jon Venables should be stripped of his new identity if he is charged with a new offence, the toddler’s mother said.

James Bulger killer Jon Venables was taken back into custody in the UK after he was accused of committing a sex crime, it was reported today.

The British government faced growing calls tonight to disclose more details about the return to prison of one of James Bulger’s killers.

Former British Labour leader Michael Foot has died, aged 96, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today.

UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw denied plotting to remove British Prime Minister Gordon Brown today after claims in a book that he told colleagues that Brown “had to go”.

British Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw hit back today at claims that he ignored legal advice that the Iraq war would be unlawful without further United Nations backing.

Former attorney general Peter Goldsmith today described how he gave the "green light" for military action against Iraq just a month after expressing concerns about the legality of the war.

Tony Blair was warned two months before the invasion of Iraq it would be illegal to go to war without United Nations’ authority, the inquiry into the conflict heard today.

FORMER British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the country’s Iraq Inquiry yesterday that he agonised over the decision to topple Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein with force, but feels officials made the best decision they could.

Former UK foreign secretary Jack Straw admitted today that he only “very reluctantly” came round to supporting the invasion of Iraq.

One of Tony Blair's closest advisers will be grilled by the Iraq Inquiry today as it starts a week of evidence sessions dominated by key political figures.

Nicky Henderson’s Zaynar is reportedly in fine form as he prepares to make his seasonal reappearance in the Coral Ascot Hurdle this weekend.

BNP leader Nick Griffin said today he planned to complain to the BBC about his “unfair” treatment on 'Question Time'.

The BBC defended the appearance of BNP leader Nick Griffin on a 'Question Time' in which the BNP leader gave a twitchy performance and described homosexuals as “creepy”.

SIX people were arrested last night as anti-fascist protesters broke into the BBC’s west London headquarters ahead of a far-right party leader’s appearance on a leading political debate show.

The British Labour Party could still hang on to power after a general election if it ditched Gordon Brown for one of his rivals, according to a poll published today.

PARDONED football fan Michael Shields thanked his tireless supporters last night and declared: “Today is the first day of the rest of my life.”

Liverpool football fan Michael Shields, who was jailed for 15 years in Bulgaria for the attempted murder of a barman, has been pardoned, his lawyer said today.

British Justice Secretary Jack Straw acknowledged today that the prospect of trade and oil deals with Libya played a part in the UK government’s handling of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.

BRITAIN has released documents detailing confidential exchanges over the Lockerbie bomber’s release – letters it hoped will end speculation that Abdel Baset al-Megrahi’s freedom was used to sweeten economic and political deals between Libya and Britain.

Footage of the Lockerbie bomber in his hospital bed emerged as the row over his release raged on today.

Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs was granted “compassionate release” from his prison sentence today, UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw said.

THE son of Ronnie Biggs made a heartfelt plea to the British Government last night to release the seriously ill Great Train robber.

JAILED football fan Michael Shields’s father last night hit out at the British Government for leading his family “a merry dance” by refusing to pardon his son.

The family of Ronnie Biggs vowed to fight on for his freedom after Britain's Justice Secretary Jack Straw condemned the Great Train Robber to a likely death behind bars.

RONNIE BIGGS was refused parole yesterday by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who accused the Great Train Robber of being “wholly unrepentant” about his crimes.

GREAT Train Robber Ronnie Biggs will learn within weeks whether he has succeeded in his bid for early jail release after a parole board panel met yesterday to consider his case.

PORN MOVIES. Horse manure. A chocolate Santa Claus. Expense claims by British lawmakers to pay for an array of items were exposed yesterday, stoking public anger over lawmaker excess amid the global recession.