Law firm bypasses banks to protect payouts

Addleshaw Goddard has paid its partners £12m in profits ahead of schedule so they can benefit from government guarantees

Biotechnology bosses seek government support

High profile business leaders meet Prime Minister and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson in plea for £500 million rescue

Law must allow the use of DNA data

What is required is thorough research on offending profiles of those whose DNA and fingerprints were taken in the past

Petty crimes betray big criminals

DNA taken from Mark Dixie and Anthony de Boise for minor offences meant police were able to prosecute them for serious crimes

MPs should put house in order now

There is no reason why MPs cannot examine their own parliamentary procedures now without prejudicing the police inquiry

Crossrail dream moves nearer reality

The City of London pledges £250 million towards the £16 billion cost for a line beneath the capital amid Heathrow rethink

Case study: ‘I’ll sit in front of bulldozers’

Mr Clark, 96, and his 50 racing pigeons lived relatively undisturbed while Heathrow, hotels and access roads grew up around him

High pay for chief of anti-poverty campaign

The head of a government-owned business set up to alleviate poverty in the developing world was paid almost £1 million

Parkinson appointed NHS dignity ambassador

Government asks chat-show host to act as ambassador for its campaign to establish how well hospitals look after patients

Brown backs Speaker after Harman's 'failure'

Ministers privately express frustration that Leader refused to back Speaker - and the PM steps in to bolster his position

Smith statement on leaks stirs MPs' anger

Home Secretary says leaks from Home Office were 'systematic' but Tory shadow claims arrest of spokesman 'heavy handed'

UK mortgage holiday 'could help only 9,000'

Housing Minister admits that only a limited number of households stand to benefit from new mortgage support scheme

Court victory over 'innocent' DNA samples

Test case may force overhaul of database after European judges rule innocent people's samples should be removed

Harman piles pressure on Speaker in leak row

Michael Martin dealt body blow in row over police raid by refusal of the Commons Leader to express confidence in him

Havens will protect marine wildlife

Marine Bill will create nature reserves designed to provide safe havens for marine wildlife as part of conservation campaign

Immigrants must learn English for passport

Changes to citizenship rules will leave those who make little effort to integrate into society waiting to become a British citizen

Sketch: Crowd goes wild as Green fans storm stage

It is hard to believe that Damian Green, the rather hapless MP for Ashford, has become a celebrity but who can doubt it?

Alcohol curbs will end ‘get-one-free’ deals

Wine drinkers are to be hit hardest by curbs on cut-price drinks promotions proposed under plans to tackle irresponsible drinking

Mayor admits speaking to Green in leak inquiry

Boris Johnson accused of undermining the investigation after declaring that he did not think there would be any charges

Homeowners will be deferring the pain

In the case of the new homeowner mortgage support scheme, what we know about the detail is extremely scant