Romney scores double primary win

Mitt Romney scored a hard-fought triumph in his native state of Michigan and powered to victory in Arizona today, dealing a blow to his chief rival and gaining precious momentum in the turbulent Republican presidential race.

Mr Romney’s victories cement his status as his party’s front-runner to challenge President Barack Obama in the November election, and injects his campaign with new energy ahead of next week’s crucial contests in 10 states, known as Super Tuesday.