Political news in brief

EU braces for summit violence

British police used to spot potential troublemakers at football matches abroad could be drafted in to prevent violence at an EU summit later in the year.

The possibility will be raised at unprecedented talks in Brussels aimed at stopping a repetition of disturbances at a series of recent meetings of European leaders.

EU ministers are considering introducing the kind of riot control tactics normally reserved for tackling soccer violence.

Pooling police intelligence on known hooligans and exchanging national "best practice" are among the proposed tactics.

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Downing Street meeting for Bush

US President George Bush is set to visit Prime Minister Tony Blair next week, Downing Street has announced.

A spokesman said the President would have talks with Mr Blair on Thursday, on his way to the G7-G8 summit in Genoa the following day.

Downing Street refused to disclose any further details of the visit.

However, the two leaders are bound to discuss joint approaches to the issues to be raised in Genoa.

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Widdecombe set for Theroux grilling

Off-the-wall television interviewer Louis Theroux is set to turn his spotlight on Conservative frontbencher Ann Widdecombe in his next series.

Miss Widdecombe has already taken part in their first filmed encounter, in the House of Commons precincts, as she briefly took her attentions away from the party leadership contest.

Afterwards she said: "He has a slightly zany approach but I can cope with that."

The subjects of his TV shows have included a survivalist, pornographic film star, professional wrestlers, Sir Jimmy Savile and magician Paul Daniels.

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Livingstone outlines drug vision

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has called for the capital's fight against drugs to concentrate on the harm they do to individuals and communities.

Rejecting a US-style 'war on drugs' approach, Mr Livingstone said: "We should focus resources and energy to tackle the problems that are of real concern to Londoners - violent crime, public disorder, drug dealing, homelessness, and the number of people dying or with serious health problems because of drugs including alcohol."

He described as "interesting" the police pilot scheme operating in Lambeth, where people found in possession of cannabis for personal use are not arrested.

As part of the strategy the Greater London Assembly is to draw up a capital-wide approach to drug and alcohol services.