Blow for Boris as deputy is forced to quit

Boris Johnson's deputy Ray Lewis resigned yesterday over sleaze allegations, plunging London's Mayor into his first serious crisis since taking over from Ken Livingstone.

Inside UK

Spy chief in coma as doctors battle mystery illness

Britain's most senior intelligence officer is said to be showing no sign of recovery after being in a coma for five days with a mysterious illness which doctors have so far failed to diagnose.

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Jacqui Smith was among those who voted against the reform of MPs' allowances

Tories claim Brown 'fixed' expenses vote

Gordon Brown said he was disappointed with 33 of his own ministers for voting to continue with the "John Lewis List" of MPs' allowances for furnishing their second homes.

Shakilus Townsend, 16, who was stabbed to death, was the 18th teenager murdered in London this year

Police make knife crime top priority

Knife crime has replaced terrorism as the police's highest priority, Scotland Yard said yesterday after six people were stabbed to death in just five days.

Kylie dresses down for her appointment at Buckingham Palace

Pop music's own pocket Venus, Kylie Minogue, was spinning around with delight when she received the insignia of her OBE at Buckingham Palace yesterday for services to the musicindustry.