Free Republic

Hazel Blears, James Purnell, John Hutton and Caroline Flint all claimed that they were working alone when they handed in their resignations to Number 10. But The Sunday Telegraph can disclose that they were part of a group of Blairites that met secretly for months and tried to co-ordinate last week’s resignations. Their intention was to force Mr Brown to stand down in favour of Alan Johnson, the then Health Secretary. Mr Brown faced fresh embarrassment last night after a leaked email showed that Lord Mandelson said the Prime Minister was “self conscious”, “insecure” and “angry”. The Prime Minister faces...

Gordon Brown is preparing to sack disloyal and ineffective ministers to shore up his waning authority despite Tory claims he now has no choice but to call an election. David Cameron today challenged the Prime Minister to do the 'last bold thing' left to him and go to the country because even his own Cabinet no longer support him. In a blistering question time, he accused Mr Brown of 'appalling judgement' and ridiculed him for not sacking Hazel Blears after she openly criticised him. Aides say Mr Brown is now banking on a ruthless clearout of troublesome ministers after nex

CAIRO, March 4 (IslamOnline.net) – British Muslims angrily reacted after the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has backed a minister’s controversial comments that Muslims should accept that they would be targeted by police under anti-terrorism laws. “The comments are astounding and not helpful in the least, as they could increase anti-Muslim sentiments in the country,” Inayat Bunglawala, the spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain, told IslamOnline.net on Friday, March 4. The council is the largest group representing the country's 1.6 million-strong Muslim community. Bunglawala was speaking after Sir Ian Blair said he supported Home Office Minister Hazel Blears’ statements...

Home Office minister Hazel Blears is travelling to America this week for talks intended to strengthen international co-operation on counter-terrorism and security. Ms Blears will fly to Washington for two days of discussions with counterparts from the G8 countries. The event is hosted by US attorney general John Ashcroft and will examine what measures the nations can take to improve their work together to prevent terrorism and criminal acts. Ms Blears is attending the meetings in her capacity as minister for state for counter-terrorism and resilience issues. "The G8 is an invaluable forum in which to discuss matters of international...