Prescott memoirs awkward for PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7394399.stm Version 0 of 1. Another day and, for Gordon Brown, another selection of damning memoirs. This time they are John Prescott's and are serialised in the Sunday Times. According to the paper, Mr Prescott says he spent much of time as deputy prime minister trying to keep the peace between Tony Blair and Mr Brown. The paper says the new Labour spin machine insisted reports of tensions were all dreamt up by journalists. But Mr Prescott has now shown those reports were true, it says. 'Stalinist' plan The Sunday Telegraph says Labour plans to prevent children starting their education unless they have had the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. According to the paper, the British Medical Association has said the proposal would be counter-productive, labelling the plan "Stalinist". The Sunday Express says it has provoked outrage among doctors. However, the Sunday Mirror says if compulsory vaccination helps eradicate killer diseases, it would be worth it. Army poverty The Independent on Sunday reveals that an internal report into the state of the British army suggests many soldiers are living in poverty. It says the briefing warns that some personnel are so poor, they rely on emergency food vouchers from the Ministry of Defence. The Sunday Express reports the scheme allows junior soldiers, whose money has run out by the end of the month, to borrow money for food. The MoD tells the Express fewer than 1% of troops have used the system. Stubbing out Giving up cigarettes in China, according to the Independent on Sunday, could be worth hard cash. It says the government has introduced a competition with cash prizes of up to the equivalent of £725 for those who give up for six months. The Sunday Mirror stays closer to home to monitor the new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's cycling habits. It alleges that in one day he ran six red lights, mounted the pavement and cycled over a zebra crossing in use. |