MoD probes new Iraq abuse claims
The Ministry of Defence says it is investigating new allegations of abuse by UK troops during the years they spent in Iraq.

BNP paves way to admit non-whites
BNP leaders vote "overwhelmingly" to ballot over changing its constitution to allow non-white members to join.

Byers to stand down at election
Former cabinet minister Stephen Byers has announced he will quit Parliament at the next general election.

Bercow: 'I did not spend £45,000'
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow denies allegations that he spent £45,000 on a revamp of his grace-and-favour apartment.

Private 'police' provoke concern
The growing number of private security firms policing UK streets is a worrying development, senior police figures say.

Brown hopeful over Afghan boost
Gordon Brown says he is hopeful he will be able to persuade allies to send more military personnel to Afghanistan.

By-election win 'endorses Brown'
Labour hail their win in the Glasgow North East by-election as an endorsement of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's policies.

Top Tory criticises Sun PM attack
Shadow security minister Baroness Neville-Jones criticises The Sun for "very personal" attack on Gordon Brown.

'Huge challenge' of 2012 security
London's Olympics and Paralympics are likely to present Britain's "greatest security challenge" since World War II, a Home Office minister says.

Speaker 'relaxed' over wife move
Commons Speaker John Bercow says he is "relaxed" about his wife standing for office as a Labour councillor.

How Canadian cat sparked rumours of Lady Thatcher's death
A text message announcing the death of a minister's cat, named Thatcher after his political heroine, sparks an embarrassing diplomatic incident in Canada.

You're hired!
Investigating the people who really choose our MPs

Glasgow verdict
What by-election result tells us about general election

His latest title
Mandelson wins politician of the year award

MoD spends millions on rent bills
The Ministry of Defence spends £5.6m a month on rented accommodation for members of the armed forces, it has been revealed.

Blair faces Iraq probe next year
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is to be called to give evidence to the Iraq War inquiry early in the new year.

Long-term unemployed to get £40m
Local authorities in England's most deprived areas are given £40m to tackle long-term unemployment.

MPs clash over 'reply all' e-mail
A row breaks out over MPs and peers hitting "reply all" to a round robin e-mail about cyber security.

UK museums can return looted art
Artefacts in British museums found to have been looted by the Nazis can now be returned to their original owners thanks to new legislation.

UK climate targets 'unachievable'
UK government plans to make carbon emission cuts of 80% by 2050 are impossible to achieve, according to an analysis.

Straw retreats over gay hate law
Ministers admit defeat over efforts to remove a "free speech" defence from new laws against inciting homophobic hatred.

PM to 'tighten' migration rules
Gordon Brown vows to "tighten" immigration rules by reducing the number of professions that can recruit from outside Europe.

Farage accused of UKIP 'insult'
Outgoing UKIP leader Nigel Farage is accused of "insulting" party members by saying he has only one "credible" successor.

Speaker's wife to run for Labour
The wife of Commons Speaker - and former Tory MP - John Bercow is to run for office as a Labour candidate.

MPs want hacker transfer halted
The extradition to the US of computer hacker Gary McKinnon should be halted owing to his "precarious" mental health, say MPs.

Drinking culture crackdown call
The three contenders for the Welsh Labour leadership call for tougher measures on drinking to combat anti-social behaviour.

Secret inquests battle at an end
Inquests into certain deaths could be held in secret in future after Parliament finally approved the move.

PM 'has high regard' for Murdoch
Gordon Brown has "the most enormous personal regard" for Rupert Murdoch" despite critical reporting in the Sun newspaper, Downing Street says.

Ministers accused on post offices
The government is accused of showing a "lack of concern" for people affected by its programme of mass post offices closures.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Ashes set for free-to-air return
England's home Ashes Test matches are set to return to free-to-air television following recommendations for revised "listed events".

BNP in alliance with nationalists
The British National Party (BNP) joins forces with European far-right groups in a new Alliance of National Movements.

PM 'to examine' MoD bonuses
Gordon Brown says he will "examine" bonuses to Ministry of Defence civil servants that have amounted to £47m so far this year.

Ban on model fees planned
Modelling agencies would be banned from charging upfront fees, under government plans to be announced later.

Graduate entry for nursing
All new nurses in England will have to be educated to degree level from 2013, the government has announced.

Miliband 'committed' to UK future
David Miliband says there should be "no doubt" he is committed to Labour's re-election after ruling himself out of a top EU job.

Cost of 2014 Games 'set to soar'
The budget for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is to be increased by £80m, BBC Scotland understands.

Minister denies boundaries bias
Edwin Poots denies political bias is behind his warning about the consequences of failure to agree on new council boundaries.

Budget 'not helping in recession'
A report on the assembly's draft budget for next year says not enough is being done to pull Wales out of recession.

In full: Brown's new cabinet
Here is the full reshuffled cabinet announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Shadow Cabinet: Who's Who
Here is a minister-by-minister guide to the members of Tory leader David Cameron's Cabinet.

In full: Lib Dem front bench
Here is a spokesman-by-spokesman guide to the members of Nick Clegg's front bench team.

Political websites
Links to parties and other useful websites covering UK politics.

Guide to Parliament
What is Parliament for and how does it work?