Number 10 dismisses as speculation reports that officials have been asked to lobby for Tony Blair to become EU president.

Progress has been made in the way the Home Office is run since it was described as "not fit for purpose" in 2006, a committee of MPs says.

Eleanor Laing survives a vote of confidence by her constituency party after criticism of her conduct over expenses.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson says he has "stopped the clock" on moves to extradite Gary McKinnon to the US.

Labour loses two votes in the House of Lords on the issues of provocation in murder cases and military inquests.

Ministers scale back planned cuts to the training of the Territorial Army after fierce criticism from the opposition.

The government dismisses claims that it encouraged an immigration boom to make the UK more diverse and "rub the right's nose" in it.

The Ulster Unionist's only MP says she refused to attend the party's conference because of her unhappiness at a Tory pact.

Royal Mail bosses and union leaders hold talks aimed at ending the row over pay, conditions and modernisation.

Britain's influence on the world will "wane" unless it takes a lead in developing EU foreign policy, David Miliband warns.