Bush fury over recount verdict

Bush supporters had been demanding that Mr Gore concedes

By Rob Watson in Austin, Texas

The Bush campaign has made a furious attack on Florida's Supreme Court calling its ruling an attempt to change the rules of the election.

A senior Bush campaign spokesman, James Baker, said the Texas governor would consider ways to reverse the court's decision.

The court's ruling was a major setback for the Bush campaign.

It had been hoping the court would effectively end the election process in Florida leaving George W Bush the President-elect.

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Clearly angered by the decision, James Baker accused Florida's Supreme Court of overruling laws laid down by the state's legislature.

"It is not fair to change the election laws of Florida . . . after the election has been held.

"Therefore we intend to examine and to consider whatever remedies we may have to correct this unjust result." Mr Baker said no decision had been made as to just what those remedies might be.

He did however warn that the Republican-dominated legislature in Florida might try to reassert its laws, putting it in direct confrontation with the state's Supreme Court.

But it is not all bad news for the Bush campaign.

The Supreme Court has set a sharp deadline for the recounts to be completed which so far show Mr Gore failing to overtake the Texas governor.