Wendy Alexander was ridiculed by her political opponents last night after she was ordered by Gordon Brown to "close down" any further discussion of an independence referendum in Scotland.

As hundreds of thousands of refugees waited for emergency relief yesterday and for their leaders to act, the Burmese junta went ahead with a national referendum aimed at keeping its members in power.

An MP with a cleft palate will this week attempt to introduce a change in the law that could lead to fewer abortions on the grounds of disability.

Cherie Blair has accused Gordon Brown of "rattling the keys" of Downing Street over Tony Blair's head in an attempt to force him out of office.

Five hospital patients a day are put at risk as a result of blunders over drug prescriptions.

The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition group said yesterday that he would take part in a run-off against Robert Mugabe after the disputed elections on March 29, in the hope of unseating the veteran president.

The world's first trial to make blood transfusions free of the human form of 'mad cow disease' has been launched by doctors in Scotland.

Millions of parents are to be given the right to demand flexible working hours from their employers under proposals expected to be unveiled by the Prime Minister this week.

Alex Salmond is considering moves to build a Scottish 'embassy' in China under plans to expand the country's presence in the East.

A row is looming between Holyrood and environmental campaigners over MSPs' decision to invite tenders for the £1.4m, four-year contract to supply their water.

Court users, including the accused and convicted criminals, are to be surveyed for their opinions on the 'standard of service' they receive from the justice system.