Deputy mayor resigns from office
London's deputy mayor Ray Lewis quits his post amid allegations of financial irregularities when he was a vicar.

Watchdog set to probe MP expenses
The committee on standards in public life is considering an inquiry into MPs' expenses, the BBC understands.

Top spy seriously ill in hospital
Britain's top spy, Alex Allan, the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, is seriously ill.

Muslims 'under siege like Jews'
Many British Muslims "feel like the Jews of Europe" says a minister in an interview marking the 7/7 bombings anniversary.

Hain writing Mandela book
Former Wales Secretary Peter Hain is working on a new biography of his hero Nelson Mandela.

Mayor's aide in cash claim probe
An aide to London mayor Boris Johnson had faced allegations of financial misconduct when he was a vicar, it is revealed.

Cost of crime '£275 per person'
Funding the police to tackle recorded crime costs £275 per person a year, according to the Taxpayers' Alliance.

Badger cull proposals 'rejected'
The government has decided against a cull of badgers in England to control TB in cattle, the BBC understands.

In full: Glasgow East candidates
A list of candidates who have declared so far that they will contest the Glasgow East by-election.

John Lewis 'surprised' to find itself at the centre of a political row
John Lewis says the publicity generated by the row over MPs' expenses came as a "complete surprise".

Donor drought
Cash is tight - but one Labour donor is still ready to help

Martha's week
Need to unwind? Remember you're a wombat...

Wacky race?
A guide to the 26 hopefuls in next week's by-election

Davis's doorstep
Are voters in Haltemprice getting by-election fever?

Tories plan tax 'early warnings'
Major tax changes should be unveiled six months before the Budget, the Tories say in new tax proposals.

Bury elected mayor plan rejected
Voters in Bury throw out plans for the borough to be run by a directly elected mayor.

Brown hints at fuel duty freeze
Gordon Brown says the delayed 2p rise in fuel duty will be looked at "very, very carefully" over the next few weeks.

Sharia law 'could have UK role'
The most senior judge in England and Wales has said sharia law could play a role in some parts of the legal system.

Straw unveils witness legislation
Emergency legislation to restore trial judges' powers to grant anonymity to witnesses is unveiled by Jack Straw.

Welsh valleys created NHS - Brown
Prime Minister Gordon Brown pays tribute to the role of the Welsh valleys in the birth of the National Health Service.

Brown pressed on incentives claim
Gordon Brown denies offering incentives to backbenchers to back counter-terror laws, as he is quizzed by senior MPs

Mayor attacks 7 July payout delay
London Mayor Boris Johnson describes as "unacceptable" delays in paying compensation to victims of the 7 July bombings.

Britain doubles aid to Pakistan
Britain is doubling the aid it gives Pakistan to nearly $1bn over the next three years as part of efforts to tackle Islamic militancy.

In full: Haltemprice candidates
A total of 26 candidates will stand in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election, sparked when David Davis resigned.

ID card fingerprint errors fear
Mismatched fingerprints could hamper the government's £5.6bn ID card scheme, independent experts warn.

£3.2bn giant carrier deals signed
Contracts are signed to build the UK's biggest ever aircraft carriers, creating or securing 10,000 jobs across the UK.

Bill passes after rethink on duty
The government has said it will re-examine controversial plans to raise vehicle excise duty (VED) on the most polluting cars

Minister says GPs blocking choice
GPs in England operate "gentlemen's agreements" to stop patients moving between practices, a minister says.

MSP plans Scot Lib Dem leader bid
MSP Mike Rumbles says he will stand as Scottish Liberal Democrat leader after Nicol Stephen stepped down.

Hain donations file handed to CPS
Police hand over to the Crown Prosecution Service a file on their investigation into late donations to Peter Hain.

Commission fears on activists
The Electoral Commission says it is "deeply concerned" by government plans to allow political activists to join its staff.

Row over 42-day 'reward' letter
David Cameron presses the PM about a letter suggesting an MP may be "appropriately rewarded" for supporting 42-day detention.

The full story: PM's questions
The key points, the experts' verdicts and the full footage of Gordon Brown's weekly House of Commons grilling.

Tories launch by-election drive
The Conservatives launch their campaign for the Glasgow East by-election on 24 July.

McGuinness attends event in Iraq
Martin McGuinness is going to Iraq for an event to try to reconcile the country's Shia and Sunni communities.

Assembly powers group revealed
Sixteen people to gauge support for a possible referendum on further powers for the Welsh assembly are named.

Lib Dem front bench guide
A guide to the key members of the Liberal Democrat 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?