Conservative MP lobbies for ‘blacking up’

Philip Davies wrote to the equality watchdog saying he has never understood why it is considered offensive to ‘black up’

Eighty MPs join in mass revolt on expenses

An unexpectedly large number of MPs are rebelling against SIr Thomas Legg's demands to repay parliamentary expenses

Plan to let Forces head housing and school list

Bob Ainsworth, the Defence Secretary, said that he was studying plans for local authorities to put the military first

Don’t blame us for Nimrod crash, says general

Two retired military commanders speak of their outrage over the criticisms levelled against them in the Haddon-Cave report

Banks bruised over 50 per cent levy

Objectives have come into conflict with the Government insisting that the banks cut back bonuses but also step up lending

Banks block £1bn fund for small business

Investment groups are stalling on giving the money after the Government’s windfall tax on bonuses was announced

Cybernats — the Christmas present nobody wants

Russell aide warned over blog e-mails

Scottish Education Secretary threatens to sue his former researcher over “totally false” allegations

Brace yourselves for £3.35bn cuts, Scots told

The Scottish government has given warning of a squeeze on public spending “unprecedented in severity and duration”

We will use Calman to strengthen Union

On a visit to Scotland, David Cameron says that a future Tory government would look again at Calman Commission findings

Government caves in over e-borders scheme

The EU has forced the Government to make the £1.2bn electronic borders scheme, designed to track terrorists, voluntary

MPs line up to appeal against expenses repayment

A reported 50 MPs are to challenge demands for repayment of expenses before today’s 3pm appeal deadline

Met Chief 'panicked' over Tory MP's arrest

Former officer claims Sir Paul Stephenson gave backing to Damian Green investigation, then rapidly withdrew it

Maywatch, not Baywatch, as MPs wind down

Political cross-dressing was very much in evidence at the last PMQs of 2009 as Theresa May showed off her new footwear

Lib Dem is first MP to fight expenses ruling

Jeremy Browne, a Lib Dem economics spokesman, has challenged a demand to repay £18,000 of mortgage expenses

Mugabe beatings force Tatchell to quit MP bid

Peter Tachell says 2001 beating by Robert Mugabe’s bodyguards have made him drop his bid to be Green MP for Oxford East

Damian Green ‘wanted dirt on Labour’

Bob Quick, who lead an inquiry into the leak, does not accept that the Tory MP acted innocently in receiving information

People power: the haves and have nots

Some areas of Britain are powerless "black holes" where residents lack income, education and influence, a report says