After seven weeks the day finally dawns and the Sun carries an exclusive interview with President Bush on its front page
BLAIR AIN'T MY POODLE says the paper
PRESIDENT George Bush urged Tony Blair to STAY in power until he quit the White House.
The US leader tried to persuade the PM to complete a full term in office so they could leave power together.
President Bush told The Sun in a world exclusive interview: “Tony’s had a great run and history will judge him kindly. He’s a very talented man, for whom I’ve got a great deal of respect.
“I selfishly said to him, ‘I hope you can stay out my term!’
The US leader tried to persuade the PM to complete a full term in office so they could leave power together.
President Bush told The Sun in a world exclusive interview: “Tony’s had a great run and history will judge him kindly. He’s a very talented man, for whom I’ve got a great deal of respect.
“I selfishly said to him, ‘I hope you can stay out my term!’
Adding
Somehow our relationship has been seen as Bush saying to Blair ‘Jump’ and Blair saying, ‘How high?’ But that’s just not the way it works. It’s a relationship where we say we’re both going to jump together.
We’ve served together during a time of war, and shared the same determination to succeed. We analysed the enemy the same way, and found each other in the same foxhole.
We’ve served together during a time of war, and shared the same determination to succeed. We analysed the enemy the same way, and found each other in the same foxhole.
For the new PM,the countdown culdnt have got off to a better start.
Blair exits British politics as new era begins with a Tory defection headlines the Guardian
A new political order in Britain will take shape this afternoon when Tony Blair flies to his Sedgefield constituency to resign from parliament with immediate effect, and Gordon Brown enters No 10 to prepare a shakeup of government which will see at least six ministers quit the cabinet.
Mr Brown's allies said the new ministerial line-up would be deliberately inclusive, and not settle scores with Mr Blair's supporters.
Mr Blair had planned to keep the decision to quit as an MP secret until after his 318th and final prime minister's questions at noon today. But news leaked that his local party was being called to an extraordinary meeting to be addressed tonight by Mr Blair. adding that
Mr Brown's allies said the new ministerial line-up would be deliberately inclusive, and not settle scores with Mr Blair's supporters.
Mr Blair had planned to keep the decision to quit as an MP secret until after his 318th and final prime minister's questions at noon today. But news leaked that his local party was being called to an extraordinary meeting to be addressed tonight by Mr Blair. adding that
Mr Brown will go to see the Queen at 1.30pm today to be asked to form a government, still buoyed by his engineering of the defection to Labour of the pro-European Tory MP Quentin Davies.
First blood for Brown as a Tory swaps sides and blasts 'PR Dave' says the Mail
A surprise Tory defection embarrassed David Cameron last night and handed an eve-of-power propaganda coup to Gordon Brown.
Quentin Davies stunned Westminster by resigning from the Conservative Party and issuing a searing attack on the leadership of Mr Cameron, whom he described as 'not standing for anything' and being obsessed with a 'PR agenda'.
He summed up the Tory leader's qualities as 'superficiality, unreliability and a lack of any clear convictions'.
Quentin Davies stunned Westminster by resigning from the Conservative Party and issuing a searing attack on the leadership of Mr Cameron, whom he described as 'not standing for anything' and being obsessed with a 'PR agenda'.
He summed up the Tory leader's qualities as 'superficiality, unreliability and a lack of any clear convictions'.
The Independent reports that
Quentin Davies, a pro-European appalled by Mr Cameron's Eurosceptic line, accused the Tories of standing for nothing and being driven by public relations. He heaped praise on the "towering record" of Mr Brown, who personally wooed him to Labour at a series of private meetings in the past two months.
The 63-year-old former shadow cabinet minister was accused of "treachery" by former Tory colleagues, who challenged him to cause a by-election in his Grantham and Stamford constituency, where he has a majority of 7,445.
Although the Tories said Mr Davies was a careerist, he will not be made a minister when Mr Brown announces his government over the next three days, a line-up that is expected to see several people from outside Labour ranks appointed as ministers and advisers.
The 63-year-old former shadow cabinet minister was accused of "treachery" by former Tory colleagues, who challenged him to cause a by-election in his Grantham and Stamford constituency, where he has a majority of 7,445.
Although the Tories said Mr Davies was a careerist, he will not be made a minister when Mr Brown announces his government over the next three days, a line-up that is expected to see several people from outside Labour ranks appointed as ministers and advisers.
Finally, Blair exits the stage headlines the Telegraph
Tony Blair will say farewell to Downing Street and domestic politics today, bringing to an end a remarkable decade in power which began with extraordinarily high hopes but ended with opinion divided over his legacy to the country.Mr Blair, Labour's most successful leader after an unprecedented three election victories, making him - alongside Margaret Thatcher - one of the dominant political figures since the war, will drive up The Mall to Buckingham Palace with his wife Cherie to tender his resignation to the Queen.
The Times reports on the Pm's last foriegn visitor.
How the Terminator met the Terminated
It was just like a movie. The only question is which one. Tony Blair’s last full day as Prime Minister began with the press conference of his dreams. If you had told him, ten years ago, that this event would be with Arnold Schwarzenegger, he would have laughed in disbelief. Yesterday, though, he thought it was completely normal. We are where we are and yesterday we were in La-La Land for the entire day.
It was a wonderful event. Forget Terminators 1, 2, 3. It was obvious that we were seeing, before our very eyes, the prequel to another sequel. Fans may be disappointed. For times change and so do cyborgs. Arnie is now the Governor of California and Mr Climate Change. So, obviously, the title has had to be tweaked. Still, I think The Germinator works, don’t you?
It was a wonderful event. Forget Terminators 1, 2, 3. It was obvious that we were seeing, before our very eyes, the prequel to another sequel. Fans may be disappointed. For times change and so do cyborgs. Arnie is now the Governor of California and Mr Climate Change. So, obviously, the title has had to be tweaked. Still, I think The Germinator works, don’t you?
This time he won't be back says the Sun
TONY Blair got a farewell handshake from Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday — and vowed that he won’t be back.
Mr Blair appeared with the Californian governor at No 10 for his last press conference as Prime Minister to plead for world action on global warming.
Referring to Arnie’s Terminator catchphrase Mr Blair joked: “My press officer said to me, whatever else you do this morning, don’t say, ‘I’ll be back’.”
Asked if he had any advice for Gordon Brown he said: “No, he is perfectly capable of doing the job on his own.”
Mr Blair appeared with the Californian governor at No 10 for his last press conference as Prime Minister to plead for world action on global warming.
Referring to Arnie’s Terminator catchphrase Mr Blair joked: “My press officer said to me, whatever else you do this morning, don’t say, ‘I’ll be back’.”
Asked if he had any advice for Gordon Brown he said: “No, he is perfectly capable of doing the job on his own.”
The Independent's front page gives us
Gordon Brown answers your questions including
In an answer of one word, and with the benefit of hindsight, was it wrong to invade Iraq?
No. and
You were the one person who could have stopped Blair signing up to the invasion of Iraq, either by threatening to quit or publicly opposing it. How do you feel about putting your career ahead of the lives of thousands of Iraqis and hundreds of British soldiers?
I don't doubt that you hold your views about the war sincerely. We know it has been a divisive issue for our party and our country, but I hope you'll accept that I hold my views sincerely too. There's no doubt that mistakes were made in our planning for what happened after the removal of Saddam, and I think it's important to learn the lessons and to go forward knowing that proper procedures are going to be in place that will command the confidence not just of Parliament but the confidence of the public. We will learn all the lessons that need to be learnt.
I don't doubt that you hold your views about the war sincerely. We know it has been a divisive issue for our party and our country, but I hope you'll accept that I hold my views sincerely too. There's no doubt that mistakes were made in our planning for what happened after the removal of Saddam, and I think it's important to learn the lessons and to go forward knowing that proper procedures are going to be in place that will command the confidence not just of Parliament but the confidence of the public. We will learn all the lessons that need to be learnt.
The Mirror has also taken up the Chancellor's time
Mr Brown, who becomes our Premier today, immediately made THREE promises to YOU on GP cover, tackling MRSA and creating affordable housing.
The Chancellor pledged to "renew the NHS" as one of his priorities. He said: "Over the last six or seven weeks I have had time to listen to people about their experiences of the health service.
"One issue raised a lot is that they can't get access to their GPs at the weekend. People have busy lives and need to have access to a GP at the weekend."
And on the superbug MRSA he vowed to make hospitals set up isolation wards.
Mr Brown continued: "This is a huge issue. If you can isolate someone in a room quickly you reduce the risk of spread of infection."
The Chancellor pledged to "renew the NHS" as one of his priorities. He said: "Over the last six or seven weeks I have had time to listen to people about their experiences of the health service.
"One issue raised a lot is that they can't get access to their GPs at the weekend. People have busy lives and need to have access to a GP at the weekend."
And on the superbug MRSA he vowed to make hospitals set up isolation wards.
Mr Brown continued: "This is a huge issue. If you can isolate someone in a room quickly you reduce the risk of spread of infection."
Both the Mirror and the Mail lead with the aftermath of this week's storms
As rain wreaks havoc, why do we build more houses on flood plains? asks the later
Given their location, they had little chance when the deluge came.
Families evacuated from these homes in the South Yorkshire village of Catcliffe were wondering last night how on earth their estate was allowed to be built beside land that would normally act as a flood plain.
With thousands still cut off in the aftermath of this week's heavy rains, concerns were also growing over the failure to strengthen flood defences across the country.
Families evacuated from these homes in the South Yorkshire village of Catcliffe were wondering last night how on earth their estate was allowed to be built beside land that would normally act as a flood plain.
With thousands still cut off in the aftermath of this week's heavy rains, concerns were also growing over the failure to strengthen flood defences across the country.
TAKEN BY THE FLOOD is the front page of the Mirror
FLOOD victim Ryan Parry's mum told last night of the horrific moment she realised her missing son was dead.
Distraught Mandy Parry was taken to the spot where Ryan, 14, was swept away by a swollen river in Sheffield. She said: "I knew when I saw the scary water he was gone."
The floods death toll rose to five yesterday. A boy of 10 was killed by a storm-weakened branch in Norfolk and a man was found drowned in his submerged car in Worcestershire.
Distraught Mandy Parry was taken to the spot where Ryan, 14, was swept away by a swollen river in Sheffield. She said: "I knew when I saw the scary water he was gone."
The floods death toll rose to five yesterday. A boy of 10 was killed by a storm-weakened branch in Norfolk and a man was found drowned in his submerged car in Worcestershire.
Whilst the Express warns on its front page that
BIGGER STORMS ARE ON THE WAY
Floods could cause an extra £1 billion worth of damage a year by the end of this century unless climate change is tackled.
Scientists have warned Britain will have to brace itself for more catastrophic weather in years as global warming disrupts rainfall patterns.No-one can say for certain that the record-breaking wet June the UK has just experienced is a direct result of climate change.But experts agree that intense rain storms and flooding, producing the effects witnessed this month, are likely to become more frequent as temperatures rise.
Whilst the Independent reports that
The Environment Secretary, David Miliband, was forced yesterday to defend the Government's record on flood defences. In an emergency Commons statement he insisted that barriers had held firm after facing the "ultimate test". But critics claimed he had cut the budget despite growing concerns over extreme weather. Mr Miliband told MPs that some 1,400 people were facing a second night in emergency shelters after flash floods ripped through towns and cities affecting 1,000 properties.
He warned: "Heavy rain later in the week remains a real threat and all the appropriate agencies remain on high alert."
He warned: "Heavy rain later in the week remains a real threat and all the appropriate agencies remain on high alert."
Flood defence spending delayed for years in storm-ravaged cities say the Guardian
Many flood defence schemes planned for the cities and communities now devastated by days of torrential rain have been postponed for years by government cutbacks, it emerged yesterday.
Among them is a £100m scheme for Leeds, and others intended for Sheffield, Selby, Hull, York, Thirsk, Northallerton and Doncaster, places that have been hit by some of the worst flooding to hit the north of England in years. The details came to light as hundreds of people across Yorkshire and in the Midlands were evacuated from their homes, and 700 residents were moved downstream as the swollen Ulley dam threatened to burst near Rotherham.
Among them is a £100m scheme for Leeds, and others intended for Sheffield, Selby, Hull, York, Thirsk, Northallerton and Doncaster, places that have been hit by some of the worst flooding to hit the north of England in years. The details came to light as hundreds of people across Yorkshire and in the Midlands were evacuated from their homes, and 700 residents were moved downstream as the swollen Ulley dam threatened to burst near Rotherham.
The Telegraph reports that
CIA hired the Mafia to kill Fidel Castro
The Central Intelligence Agency knowingly worked with two of America's most-wanted Mafia figures in a botched attempt to assassinate Fidel Castro in the early 1960s, according to documents released yesterday.
The CIA declassified 705 pages of memorandums and reports detailing some of the agency's worst illegal abuses during 25 years of overseas assassination attempts, domestic spying and kidnapping.
The documents are known within the agency as the "Family Jewels," and were written in the mid 1970s at the behest of former directors anxious to know the worst of its activities in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
They acknowledge the secret testing of mind-altering drugs like LSD on unwitting US citizens, the wiretapping of journalists, spying on civil rights and anti-Vietnam war protesters, and break-ins at the homes of ex-CIA employees and others.
The CIA declassified 705 pages of memorandums and reports detailing some of the agency's worst illegal abuses during 25 years of overseas assassination attempts, domestic spying and kidnapping.
The documents are known within the agency as the "Family Jewels," and were written in the mid 1970s at the behest of former directors anxious to know the worst of its activities in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
They acknowledge the secret testing of mind-altering drugs like LSD on unwitting US citizens, the wiretapping of journalists, spying on civil rights and anti-Vietnam war protesters, and break-ins at the homes of ex-CIA employees and others.
The Times is amongst many that report on the latest Bae developments
US Justice Department to scrutinise BAE’s Saudi deals
The British and United States governments are on a diplomatic collision course after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) decided to initiate a formal investigation into allegations of corruption at BAE Systems, the defence company.
The DoJ investigation will scrutinise BAE’s dealings with Saudi Arabia and expose an account held by the Bank of England that is used to facilitate Saudi payments for arms. The British Government refuses to acknowledge the existence of this account.
Gordon Brown, who becomes Prime Minister today, could face a diplomatic crisis in the early days of his leadership if the DoJ demands information on the account. Turning down a DoJ request for help in a corruption inquiry could be embarrassing for Mr Brown and damage the reputation of the country.
The DoJ investigation will scrutinise BAE’s dealings with Saudi Arabia and expose an account held by the Bank of England that is used to facilitate Saudi payments for arms. The British Government refuses to acknowledge the existence of this account.
Gordon Brown, who becomes Prime Minister today, could face a diplomatic crisis in the early days of his leadership if the DoJ demands information on the account. Turning down a DoJ request for help in a corruption inquiry could be embarrassing for Mr Brown and damage the reputation of the country.
A SEVENTH teenager in six months was stabbed to death in London last night.
The unnamed white boy, in his mid teens, was attacked during a disturbance among a group of rowdy youngsters.
Paramedics were on the scene in minutes. But the lad died at the scene 30 minutes later.
Police said they were keeping an open mind about the motive for the attack in Islington, North London.
The unnamed white boy, in his mid teens, was attacked during a disturbance among a group of rowdy youngsters.
Paramedics were on the scene in minutes. But the lad died at the scene 30 minutes later.
Police said they were keeping an open mind about the motive for the attack in Islington, North London.
According to the Mail
Britain is now cocaine capital of Europe
Britain is now the cocaine capital of Europe with soaring numbers of young people taking the drug, a United Nations report has revealed.
It revealed more than 900,000 Britons buy cocaine, which means the country has overtaken Spain as the biggest user in the continent.
In addition, Britain's 350,000 heroin users are the largest number in any country in Europe.
The annual survey from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime said that across most of the world drug abuse is holding steady or is in decline because of successful law and order campaigns to prevent their distribution, sale and consumption.
It revealed more than 900,000 Britons buy cocaine, which means the country has overtaken Spain as the biggest user in the continent.
In addition, Britain's 350,000 heroin users are the largest number in any country in Europe.
The annual survey from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime said that across most of the world drug abuse is holding steady or is in decline because of successful law and order campaigns to prevent their distribution, sale and consumption.
Staying with the same topic,the Guardian reports on a
Record opium crop in southern Afghanistan
Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, where some 7,000 British troops are based, is on the verge of becoming the world's biggest drugs supplier, cultivating more opium than entire countries such as Burma, Morocco, or even Colombia, the UN warned yesterday.
The region was largely responsible for a huge increase last year in Afghanistan's opium poppy harvest, the origin of most of the heroin on the streets of Britain and mainland Europe. And Helmand's poppy harvest is expected to increase again this year, according to the latest annual report of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
The region was largely responsible for a huge increase last year in Afghanistan's opium poppy harvest, the origin of most of the heroin on the streets of Britain and mainland Europe. And Helmand's poppy harvest is expected to increase again this year, according to the latest annual report of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
The Times reports that
Armed gang in theatrical masks ‘took 17 hostages in £53m heist’
A gang of robbers wearing theatrical disguises kidnapped and held a cash depot manager, his wife and child hostage at gunpoint before stealing £53 million, a jury was told yesterday.
During the “terrifying invasion” of a Securitas depot in Kent, the robbers had also held 14 staff hostage and threatened to shoot them as they loaded a lorry with used banknotes.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Sir John Nutting, QC, told the Old Bailey that the robbers were motivated by “pure greed . . . and the prospect of dishonest gain almost beyond the dreams of avarice”.
Only £21 million has been recovered from the robbery at the depot in Tonbridge, which is used by supermarkets and the Bank of England to process vast sums of cash.
During the “terrifying invasion” of a Securitas depot in Kent, the robbers had also held 14 staff hostage and threatened to shoot them as they loaded a lorry with used banknotes.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Sir John Nutting, QC, told the Old Bailey that the robbers were motivated by “pure greed . . . and the prospect of dishonest gain almost beyond the dreams of avarice”.
Only £21 million has been recovered from the robbery at the depot in Tonbridge, which is used by supermarkets and the Bank of England to process vast sums of cash.
SECURITAS RAID - BEYOND THE DREAMS OF AVARICE says the Mirror
Posing as policemen and driven by pure "avarice" the thugs held Securitas depot boss Colin Dixon at gunpoint and snatched his wife and young child, the Old Bailey heard.
Then, wearing disguises and brandishing weapons they broke into the depot where they threatened 14 employees: "You'll die if you don't do as you're told."
Then, wearing disguises and brandishing weapons they broke into the depot where they threatened 14 employees: "You'll die if you don't do as you're told."
Parkinson announces chat-show retirement reports the Indy
Michael Parkinson, the chat-show host, has announced his retirement. His final series, on ITV1, will be broadcast this autumn.
But Parkinson, 72, who joined ITV in 2004 after defecting from the BBC, said he does not plan to quit television altogether. "After three enjoyable and productive years at ITV, and after 25 years of doing my talk show, I have decided that this forthcoming series will be my last," he said. " I'm going to take next year off to write my autobiography and consider other television projects. My thanks go out to all those who have worked on the shows down the years and the viewers for their loyal support and occasional kind words."
But Parkinson, 72, who joined ITV in 2004 after defecting from the BBC, said he does not plan to quit television altogether. "After three enjoyable and productive years at ITV, and after 25 years of doing my talk show, I have decided that this forthcoming series will be my last," he said. " I'm going to take next year off to write my autobiography and consider other television projects. My thanks go out to all those who have worked on the shows down the years and the viewers for their loyal support and occasional kind words."
Finally the Telegraph reports that
Paris Hilton walks free bound for a TV studio
This time Paris Hilton was ready for the cameras.
Immaculate and beaming, the millionaire heiress was her usual composed self, waving regally to the assembled throngs of media and fans as she strode out of a California jail yesterday after serving three weeks for violating her probation in a drink driving case.It was a sharp contrast to the distraught and sobbing figure sent back to prison after a brief respite courtesy of the Los Angeles sheriff 18 days ago.
But jail has apparently changed the 26-year-old socialite, who has described her period behind bars as "life-changing".
Today she will tell the world exactly how much when she gives an hour-long interview to veteran talk show host Larry King on CNN.
Immaculate and beaming, the millionaire heiress was her usual composed self, waving regally to the assembled throngs of media and fans as she strode out of a California jail yesterday after serving three weeks for violating her probation in a drink driving case.It was a sharp contrast to the distraught and sobbing figure sent back to prison after a brief respite courtesy of the Los Angeles sheriff 18 days ago.
But jail has apparently changed the 26-year-old socialite, who has described her period behind bars as "life-changing".
Today she will tell the world exactly how much when she gives an hour-long interview to veteran talk show host Larry King on CNN.
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