Archive of articles from 2010

Clarke: Prison doesn't work

Ken Clarke has triggered one of the most significant changes in Britain's penal policy for a generation today, with a speech that casts doubt on the ability of prison to cut reoffending.

May forced to apologise for press briefing

Theresa May has been forced into a humiliating apology to the Commons for briefing the press on a policy before she told the House.

Cameron and Harman clash on leaked Treasury document

Treasury team were told to expect 1.3m job losses - report

Leaked figures from the Treasury forecasting massive job losses as a result of the Budget have prompted a bad-tempered exchange at PMQs.

Govt stop-and-search appeal rejected

The European court of human rights has rejected an attempt by the UK government to appeal a judgment over its stop-and-search powers.

Iraq legal advice published

The advice was given to Blair shortly before the war

The legal advice offered to Tony Blair by the former attorney general over the 2003 invasion of Iraq has been published by the Chilcot Inquiry.

Govt wins right to deny troops' human rights

The government has won a supreme court appeal confirming that troops are not protected by the Human Rights Act.

Abbott throws weight behind Ken

Diane Abbott endorses ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone

Labour leadership candidate Diane Abbott has given her support to left-wing diehard Ken Livingstone for the coming London mayoral race.

Britain waits for torture inquiry announcement

William Hague has called for `judge-led` inquiry

David Cameron could confirm an inquiry into British complicity in the torture of terror suspects later.

Cameron defends Clegg from 'sell-out' claims

BFF? Clegg is paying the price for his deal with Cameron

David Cameron has defended Nick Clegg from claims he 'sold out' when he entered into a coalition with the Conservatives.

Expenses appeal: Parliament 'terrorised' by media

Expenses scandal has overshadowed parliament for a year

Lawyers defending the three former Labour MPs and one peer facing a criminal trial over their expenses claims suggested parliament had been terrorised by the media yesterday.

Police cuts 'inevitable'

Police officer numbers will fall, Acpo president warns

Reductions in police numbers are inevitable, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has warned.

Court bans Parliament Square protesters

Brian Haw has been protesting in Parliament Square since 2001

The high court has banned protestors from remaining in the tent village on parliament square.

Lib Dems rebel against Budget

Parliament at night. MPs voted on the Budget yesterday evening and will do again tonight

Two Liberal Democrat MPs have rebelled against plans to increase VAT in the Budget.

More poll misery for Lib Dems

Lib Dems not enjoying life in the coalition

A third of those who backed the Liberal Democrats at the general election would not do so now, according to a ComRes poll for the Independent.

Iraq inquiry resumes evidence sessions

Iraq inquiry investigating period to 2009

The Iraq inquiry has resumed its evidence sessions after breaking for the general election.

Cabinet branches out

Cameron's Cabinet takes a day trip from London

David Cameron takes his Cabinet outside London today, in a continuation of Gordon Brown's attempts to break the London-centric nature of British politics.

Taliban talks still on the table

David Cameron addresses troops in Afghanistan

Coalition forces in Afghanistan remain committed to talks with disillusioned elements of the Taliban, Liam Fox has confirmed.

Cameron considering scaling back G8

Downing Street is considering scaling back the G8 summit when it comes back to London in 2013.

High court hears expenses MPs appeal

High court to rule on parliamentary privilege

Three former Labour MPs and a peer seeking to avoid facing a criminal trial over their expenses claims will have their parliamentary privilege defence tested by the high court today.

Migrant cap just weeks away

Non-EU immigrationwill be cut by 1,300 this year

Theresa May is set to announce a temporary cap on the net number of non-EU immigrants arriving in Britain.

Hunt in Hillsborough gaffe

A scene from the Hillsborough disaster, which left an indelible mark on the psyche of English football

The new sports secretary has committed a major gaffe, suggesting the Hillsborough disaster was the fault of hooliganism.

Prescott wades into England World Cup row

England fans were left disappointed in South Africa

John Prescott has waded into the row surrounding England's inglorious exit from the World Cup with a barbed attack on Sky News and demands that coach Fabio Capello retain his position.