A police officer was shot dead as he tried to save two unarmed colleagues being held at gunpoint, police said last night. Rat-catcher Peter Medlicott, 33, is believed to have shot Pc Richard Gray with a .222 calibre rifle he

British courts regard euthanasia as murder and can impose a penalty of life imprisonment. Helping someone to commit suicide is also a criminal offence, punishable with a maximum 14-year jail sentence. Such harsh deterrents leave law-abiding citizens committed to a

Gordon Brown is ready to hit the ground running after Tony Blair resigns with an ambitious strategy for his first 100 days in office that will herald a radical change of approach on the Middle East and the NHS and

Bernard Weatherill, the former Speaker of the Commons whose casting vote allowed television cameras into Parliament, has died at the age of 86. Lord Weatherill, who was Speaker between 1983 and 1992 died on Sunday night after a short illness.

Lord Levy, the Labour fundraiser, is poised to quit as the Prime Minister's personal envoy to the Middle East when Tony Blair leaves office. He will follow John Reid, Home Secretary, by announcing he will go when Mr Blair steps

After more than a decade, Northern Ireland's peace process is due to reach a triumphant culmination in Belfast today when Unionists and republicans form a power-sharing government. Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will witness what is regarded as

A stag party ended in tragedy yesterday as five of the party-goers were killed when the recovery truck carrying their broken-down minibus collided with a lorry. The driver of the recovery truck also died in the smash on the M25

The traditional Kirking of the Scottish Parliament is set to take place as talks continue over the running of Holyrood.

Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness are to take their pledge of office as devolution returns to Northern Ireland.

MPs have issued a stinging rebuke to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for failing to control the costs of its London offices. The public accounts committee said the Whitehall ministry was failing to ensure that it and its

John Higgins could not shake off the challenge of qualifier Mark Selby as the 888.com World Championship final headed for a thrilling - and early hours of the morning - climax at the Crucible Theatre.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has promised to back manager Roy Keane all the way as he attempts to bolster his squad for life in the Premiership.

Charlton boss Alan Pardew suffered relegation for the first time following defeat to Tottenham and admitted the Premiership table was a fair reflection of the season.

Former US President Bill Clinton tonight sent his good wishes to Northern Ireland politicians via a lengthy call with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

The government has defended the right of head teachers to exclude pupils from school, after figures show a large number of primary-age children are removed from lessons every year.

Britain's schools have reached a ceiling of achievement because of government interference, a headteachers' union leader has said.

Tributes are paid to DUP East Antrim assembly member George Dawson, who has died following a short illness.

Charlton 0 Tottenham 2Charlton's relegation from the Premiership was confirmed after they failed to find the victory over Tottenham to take their survival battle to the weekend.

The European Union has yet to appoint a counter-terrorism co-ordinator two months after the resignation of Gijs de Vries, the previous holder of the post.

Dunfermline 4 Motherwell 1The Bank of Scotland Premier League's bottom side Dunfermline took a step closer to survival in a 4-1 win against Motherwell at East End Park which dragged the Steelmen firmly into a three-way relegation battle.