The lives of half of all cancer victims could be saved or prolonged as a result of clinical trials set to start within five years, Scotland's leading researcher in the field revealed last night.

Cabinet ministers are privately plotting to replace Gordon Brown as Labour leader, according to a senior Labour MP who has slammed the troubled Premier as a "moody, disloyal personality".

Boris Johnson became the most senior elected Conservative to hold political office yesterday. 

Alex Salmond will pledge to end the culture of "tick-box form-filling" in the Scottish public sector as part of an American-style reform of Government to be unveiled this month.

Alex Salmond last night urged Manchester to throw a party for Rangers fans, suggesting Old Trafford should be opened to ticketless fans to watch their team in the Uefa Cup final on big screens.