A strategy document signed off by Tony Blair found the main benefit from hosting The Games would be cheering the nation up.
Top Story
Another £9.3bn down the drain? Ministers told 2012 Olympics 'will bring little benefit to Britain'
Labour's 'stitch up' to save Speaker Martin after Tory MP's arrest fiasco
Ministers will gather for a secret meeting today to discuss the furore over the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green. Labour has been accused of plotting a political 'stitch up' with Speaker Michael Martin.
Click through today in pictures
How the Queen snubbed the woman who let the Met into Westminster
Her Majesty the Queen eschews public grumbles about the way New Labour has undermined the institution of Parliament. But last summer she did allow herself to raise, very discreetly, an eyebrow of reproach.
- Labour's 'political stitch up' to save Speaker Michael Martin
- Police chief to review Met's handling of Damian Green probe amid claims it could be dropped within weeks
- How the Queen snubbed the woman who let the Met into Westminster
- How the NHS betrayed Alzheimer's patients: As services are slashed, the Mail launches Christmas appeal
- Ram-raid gang smash into Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant's mansion while he and his fiancée were sleeping
- Heads FINALLY roll over Baby P... but arrogant social services boss is STILL being paid £2,000 a week
- Tacky Christmas! 'Magical Lapland' which turned out to be a muddy field
- Snow storms set to bring travel chaos today as cold snap continues
- Ministers were warned 2012 Olympics 'would bring little benefit to Britain'
- Schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton 'was murdered by handyman in barbaric act of unspeakable horror'
- Crisis-hit school facing closure spends £100,000 on toilets that play classical music to pupils
- The village bonfire organiser who police charged with arson
- Two St Bernards die after 100 are rescued from appalling conditions at abandoned kennels
- Even Tesco profits fall as supermarket giant posts 'worst performance in 15 years'
- Asda sparks new price war as it slashes petrol by up to 3p a litre
- Ministers back away from controversial ban on happy hour drinks
- Doctor 'fondled breast of woman who came to see him about a broken finger'
- Single parents on benefits 'could be forced to work once child is one,' says Government report
- Bitter civil servant 'hacked son of ex-lover to death in revenge after she ended affair'
- Depressed loner shot dead by the police at Omen cathedral was only 'carrying replica gun'
- Where's a gondola when you need one? Tourists warned to stay away from flood-hit Venice
- Arranged marriage bride and British lover 'lured husband to hotel room and stabbed him to death'
- Relate counsellor sacked for refusing to give sex therapy to gay couples because he was Christian
- Is Mandelson plotting a new push for the euro?
- Abu Qatada cleric back in jail after breaching bail terms
- MORE HEADLINES
- Tacky Christmas! Parents' anger and children's tears at Lapland theme park which turned out to be a muddy field
- How the Queen snubbed the woman who let the Met into Westminster
- Labour's 'stitch up' to save Speaker Michael Martin
- RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: If I'm not here on Friday, you'll know I've been nicked
- Arctic winds bring rush-hour snow storms for drivers as cold snap hits Britain
- Baby P boss is STILL being paid £2,000 a week - despite being suspended
- After Sachs, the BBC promised to clean up its act. So why was Dr Who star John Barrowman encouraged to expose himself live on air?
- Schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton 'was murdered by handyman in barbaric act of unspeakable horror'
- Ordeal of the 100 starving St Bernards abandoned at a kennels
- Doctor 'fondled the breasts of woman who came to see him about a broken finger'
- Cheating wife in arranged marriage 'lures her husband to his death in hotel room with her lover'
- Asda sparks new price war as it slashes petrol by up to 3p a litre
- Where's a gondola when you need one? Tourists warned to stay away from Venice
- Man arrested for lighting Guy Fawkes Night bonfire on village green under law dating from 1880s
- Single parents on benefits 'could be forced to work once child is one,' says Government report
- Bitter civil servant 'hacked son of ex-lover to death in revenge after she ended affair'
- Monty escapes third speeding ban in four years... because he's scared of flying
- Depressed loner shot dead by the police at Omen cathedral 'was carrying replica gun'
- Heir to the headphones: Charles at play behind the scenes of Queen's first Christmas TV broadcast
- Alzheimer's - the great NHS betrayal: As a third of services are slashed, the Mail launches Christmas appeal to halt neglect
- Crisis-hit school facing closure spends £100,000 on toilets that play classical music to pupils
- Police chief to review Met's handling of Damian Green probe amid claims it could be dropped within weeks
- STEPHEN GLOVER: Devoid of common sense, what is wrong with Britain's police chiefs?
- Counsellor sacked for refusing to give sex therapy to gay couples because it was 'against his Christian beliefs'
- MOST READ IN DETAIL
EDITOR'S SIX OF THE BEST
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RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: If I'm not here on Friday, you'll know I've been nicked
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Take That tops the babies' bedtime chart: Modern mothers abandon lullabies for pop songs
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Do'h! Video featuring Homer Simpson wins the Turner Prize
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Lonely Britain, a country without roots or ties, says shock new report
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The 'flat-pack' Christmas tree that can go up with lights, tinsel and baubles in seconds
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Girl Guide crusade against sexism, domestic violence and airbrushing (so whatever happened to sewing and cooking?)
FEMAIL TODAY
- So why WAS Britney such a mess on X Factor? She can't choose what she eats, or leave home alone... and has two chaperones on dates
- Another day in the gutter for the BBC after Doctor Who star exposes himself on air So much for the corporation's post-Sachs scandal clean-up
- Bosom buddies Nicola and David 'play nice' on I'm A Celebrity... but it's all part of his game plan He grabbed her, kissed her and even spanked her during a trial
- Big-busted Nicola is a bad role model for young girls, blasts Esther The veteran presenter says the Wag gives the wrong idea about attractiveness
- Is this the worst piece of airbrushing ever? Mel B's hips disappear in new advert Looks like an artist with Ultimo underwear got a little carried away
- The claws are out as Diana and the X Factor rivals perform a private gig for fans The teen joked with Alexandra before singing to competition winners
- 'Cheating' Gordon Ramsay plays the family man in cheesy TV ad featuring wife Tana and four children The TV chef displays impeccable timing...
- How classy! Danny Cipriani treats Kelly Brook to dinner... at a kebab house The model wore her hair straight and dressed down for a not so glam date
- I truly loathed my monster-in-law (and yes, the feeling was mutual) ANNA PASTERNAK on why she's one of the 66% of women who hate their husband's mothers
- Uncaring. Slovenly. Some of our nurses are a disgrace (... and I can say it, because I'm a nurse myself) LORRAINE MORGAN has launched a campaign
- What will Daddy say? Peaches, Leah and Kimberly strip naked for magazine cover The daughters of rock were photographed for Tatler by Bryan Adams
- While mummy's away, daddy Becks is left holding the babies (and they're running riot!) The little ones proved a real handful on a boys' outing to the basketball
- Angela Rippon: All my Alzheimer's mother can remember is that she loves me ANGELA RIPPON reveals how the disease devastated her family
Tacky Christmas! 'Magical Lapland' which turned out to be a muddy field
They were expecting a snow-dusted Christmas village, complete with huskies, an iceskating rink and a jolly Santa giving out presents. After paying £25 a head, visitors to Lapland New Forest found a collection of garden sheds with miserable-looking dogs tethered into place. No wonder they were disappointed. ...read
Baby P boss is STILL being paid £2,000 a week - despite being suspended
Three senior council officials have finally paid the price for the Baby P scandal after a 'devastating' inspection report laid bare a catalogue of failures.
Ram-raid gang smash into Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant's mansion while he and his fiancée were sleeping
Ram-raiders tried to smash into the mansion of a Premiership footballer and his fiancée while they slept inside, it emerged today.
Alzheimer's - the great NHS betrayal: As a third of services are slashed, the Mail launches Christmas appeal to halt neglect
The scandal of widespread cutbacks in NHS care affecting thousands of Alzheimer's patients is exposed today.
Recession hits Tesco: Grocery giant's sales fall to lowest figure in 16 years as shoppers turn to budget supermarkets
Supermarket giant Tesco today admitted it was being hit by the recession as it revealed its worst sales figures in 16 years.
Doctor 'fondled the breasts of woman who came to see him about a broken finger'
A doctor fondled the breasts of six female patients at his surgery over a five-month period, a court has heard. One woman went in with a suspected broken finger and had her breast massaged, it was alleged.
Schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton 'was murdered by handyman in barbaric act of unspeakable horror'
Vicky Hamilton was murdered by Peter Tobin in a 'barbaric act' of 'unspeakable horror', a jury has been told.
Counsellor sacked for refusing to give sex therapy to gay couples because it was 'against his Christian beliefs'
A Christian relationship counsellor was sacked because he refused to give sex therapy sessions to gay couples, a tribunal heard today.
Single parents on benefits 'could be forced to work once child is one,' says Government report
Single parents could be forced to prepare to return to work when their youngest child reaches the age of one under explosive plans being unveiled.
Monty escapes third speeding ban in four years... because he's scared of flying
Colin Montgomerie has escaped a driving ban for going nearly double the speed limit - because he 'hates flying'. The 45-year-old golfer flew in from Hong Kong for a court hearing.
Crisis-hit school facing closure spends £100,000 on toilets that play classical music to pupils
A failing school has splashed out £100,000 of taxpayers' cash on toilets that have piped in classical music - even though the building will be demolished in four years.
Arctic winds bring rush-hour snow storms for drivers as cold snap hits Britain
Parts of Britain were hit with heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures this morning as a blast of icy weather swept northwards through the country. Scotland was the first place to be hit with black ice and snow storms blanketing many roads, causing travel chaos for motorists.
...read
EDITOR'S SIX OF THE BEST
Do'h! 'Nondescript' video featuring Homer Simpson wins the Turner Prize
A naked shop dummy sitting on a lavatory, a woman smashing china, and a collection of unwashed cereal bowls - it could only be the Turner Prize exhibition.
- RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: If I'm not here on Friday, you'll know I've been nicked
- Britain is a country of 'lonely people without roots or ties,' says shock new report
- Mothers abandon traditional lullabies and sing babies to sleep with pop songs
- The picture perfect storm: Photographs capture the terrifying beauty of clouds gathering over Greenland
- The smile in the sky: Rare cosmic alignment sees Venus and Jupiter grin in the heavens
DON'T MISS
- Brian Paddick makes an arresting exit from the jungle... as Simon Webbe has medical help after underwater task He was the 6th person to be booted out
- Tears in the jungle: I'm A Celebrity camp-mates break down after letters from home David van Day led the blubbing as messages were read out
- JACI STEPHEN'S JUNGLE WATCH: Put it away Nicola AND David... I'm feeling queasy When Nicola pulls her breasts out, I reach for the smelling salts
- I'm A Celebrity's Simon admits to starring in a raunchy sex manual during modelling days Simon Webbe has admitted to starring in a racy sex manual
- Sneak peek: Emmerdale murder horror as Jasmine hits and kills rapist policeman Shane Grim scenes in tonight's one-hour special
- Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law to be charged with her family's murders William Balfour will be charged with homicide
- Bryan Adams calls in police after being stalked by obsessed mother and son The London-based singer is said to be 'very concerned'
- Is this Ivana's next victim? Newly single Ms Trump latches onto fresh toyboy after split from husband No.4 Her marriage is over after just three months
- Eliminated Christine Bleakley racks up a £4,500 bar bill at Mahiki after performing her last tango in Strictly Adrian Chiles went along to help commisserate
- After that disastrous X Factor performance, Britney high-tails it to New York She mimed, was booed and jetted home leaving upset fans behind her
- What split? Dannii Minogue parades her rugby player beau The Aussie was all smilies and puppy dog eyes in a low-cut gown at the Children's Baftas
- Feeling all white? Nicola Roberts looks queasy after rollercoaster ride with mystery man The singer looked paler than ever at a winter fair
- Simon Cowell 'completely freaked out' after his £140k Bentley is bugged The pop mogul's security team found a tracking device under his car
- Monty escapes third speeding ban in four years... because he's scared of flying The golfer had Mr Loophole to thank for his reprieve
- Worse-for-wear Alesha Dixon celebrates chart success by cavorting with TWO men The 30-year-old star left Movida looking a little tipsy at 3.30am
- Geri is more Cheeky Girl than Spice Girl in a transparent red dress Miss Halliwell gave a glimpse of her bottom as she did a twirl at the Children's Baftas
FANCY THAT
Scroll through for the most amazing stories from around the globe
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'TURNIP' PRIZE: ART OUT OF VEGGIES
A Chinese artist has recreated some of the art world's greatest masterpieces out of tofu and vegetables -
DALMATIAN LEARNS SIGN LANGUAGE
Zoe was born profoundly deaf but has now been given a new lease of life after learning sign language -
THE TRUMPET-PLAYING WALRUS
Sara's unique musical skills with a trumpet are one of the main attractions at the Istanbul Dolphinarium -
SEMI-NAKED HITLER 'DESTROYS CLICHES'
TV bosses in Belgium have been carpeted over an advert for a travel programme featuring a semi-naked Adolf Hitler -
OUT OF AFRICA: LIONS IN SCOTTISH WINTER
This shivering pride don't look too impressed with the cold, as they prowl on the icy grass at the Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling -
'TOO RACY' PAINTING HIDDEN FOR 200 YEARS
A lost masterpiece hidden in the attic of a French chateau for 200 years because its owners thought it was too racy could sell for £900,000 -
WHY FIELD MARSHALL IS INCREDI-BULL
The six-year-old Charloais is Britain's biggest bullock, tipping the scales at more than 3,500lb -
CHICKENS GET REVENGE ON EAGLES
Chinese farmers are trapping eagles and throwing them into poultry pens so the chickens can wreak their revenge -
'TURNIP' PRIZE: ART OUT OF VEGGIES
A Chinese artist has recreated some of the art world's greatest masterpieces out of tofu and vegetables -
DALMATIAN LEARNS SIGN LANGUAGE
Zoe was born profoundly deaf but has now been given a new lease of life after learning sign language
IN GOOD HEALTH TODAY
- RESTLESS LEGS: How a tight squeeze with a new device can cure restless legs syndrome
- PREVENTION: If I hadn't had a simple blood test, I'd be dying of prostate cancer now, says Max Clifford
- WEIGHT MYTH: For years, we've been told losing weight is the key to health. But is it really true?
- JANE CLARKE: Britain's leading nutritionist explains why that Friday night drink leaves you feeling US lousy
- INSOMNIA: Are your sleeping pills safe?
- ASK THE DOCTOR: I'd be willing to buy a lightbox or sunshine lamp but don't know if they are worth the money
Man charged with arson - for lighting Guy Fawkes Night bonfire on village green
A father-of-two has been hauled into court after breaking a law which dates back to the 1880s by lighting a village bonfire. Brett Duxfield, 39, was among scores of families who gathered on Elwick village green in County Durham to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night with their annual bonfire. Parish councillors had banned the bonfire in 1994 after rowdy scenes ended up with police being called, but for the last four years the tradition returned. ...read
Where's a gondola when you need one? Tourists warned to stay away from Venice
Tourists have been urged to stay away from Venice as the city experienced its worst flooding in 30 years. St Mark's Square and floors and basements of homes and shops were flooded.
Depressed loner shot dead by the police at Omen cathedral 'was carrying replica gun'
A depressed loner was shot dead by police on the steps of a cathedral even though he was not carrying a lethal weapon, it is claimed.
Axe falls on hundreds of jobs as Aston Martin, HSBC and Halfords announce cuts
Another 1,350 jobs have been cut or threatened with the axe as a leading bank, a luxury car firm and a car accessory retailer shed labour in response to the economic downturn.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
HAS LABOUR TURNED BRITAIN INTO A POLICE STATE?
The message is clear: dare to oppose us and we will unleash the forces of the State upon you. This is meant to be democracy in Brown's Britain.
colonel_bogey
The message is clear: dare to oppose us and we will unleash the forces of the State upon you. This is meant to be democracy in Brown's Britain.
colonel_bogey
TODAY'S POLL
Cheating wife in arranged marriage 'lures her husband to his death in hotel room with her lover'
An arranged marriage ended in murder when a wife and her lover stabbed her husband to death, a court has heard. Yasira Pervez, 24, and Ian Priddle, 46, are accused of flying to Pakistan and luring Khurrum Mukhtar to a hotel room. There Mr Mukhtar, 22, was allegedly stabbed in the chest and stomach with a seven- inch butcher's knife.
...read
WORLD NEWS
- Court sacks Thai government - but 7,000 Britons remain trapped with Bangkok airports closed until December 15
- Mumbai terrorists used cocaine to stay awake throughout the night
- Obama names Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State in 'message to friend and foe'
- Condoleezza Rice plays piano for the Queen in her Buckingham Palace farewell
- Tourists warned to stay away from Venice after city suffers worst flooding in 30 years
- Pictured: Tears of the two-year-old boy trapped in Mumbai Jewish centre as his parents were murdered
- Mandelson at centre of 'ditch the pound' row as European Commission president claims UK Government is ready for euro
- Somali pirates attack and chase luxury cruise ship carrying British tourists
- Expect a biological terrorist attack by 2013, chilling study warns Obama's administration
- The picture perfect storm: Photographs capture the terrifying beauty of clouds gathering over Greenland
- Zimbabwe capital running out of clean water as people are told to stop shaking hands amid cholera outbreak
- New head of Pope's army under fire over allegations of police brutality
- Let addicts have free heroin, say Swiss voters as they approve new drugs programme
- Winging it: Wildlife staff struggle to care for 300 baby bats abandoned by their mothers in storm
- The sea turns red as 150 whales are battered to death against rocks in mass stranding
- More 'new' pictures released of 'healthy' North Korean leader Kim Jong-il - but they're undated
- Storm forces shuttle Endeavour to divert after 16-day mission to expand space station
- Discovery that autistic children 'react more slowly to sound' heralds new technique for early diagnosis
- A partridge in a dear tree: Forking out for Twelve Days Of Christmas now costs £60,000
OTHER SHOWBUSINESS HEADLINES
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Britney tops the charts... as she clinches number one spot on internet search list
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Animal magic: Eva Longoria Parker dazzles in long zebra print gown and short hair
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'I want to get married, have more babies and live on a desert island,' reveals lonely Britney Spears
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Fresh-faced Coleen parties until 6am ...and still manages to get up to watch Wayne's match hours later
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Satanic Slut Georgina Baillie 'to appear on Celebrity Big Brother' as she ekes out 15 minutes
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Paul O'Grady's hard-knocks memoir rubbished by brother who says they were brought up well and their mother was NOT an alcoholic
FANCY THAT
Scroll through more of the most amazing stories from around the globe
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WILD THINGS: ROCK MUSIC CALMS ELLIES
Zookeepers play Led Zeppelin to elephants to improve their behaviour in the mornings -
ABANDONED BATS KEEP WARM IN DUSTERS
A wildlife centre is trying to cope with the bats who were ripped from trees during heavy storms in Australia, forcing their mums to abandon them -
BRITONS PLUCKED FROM THE SEA
Three British security guards escaped from armed Somali pirates by diving overboard from the chemical tanker they were protecting -
PENSIONER OWNS ICONIC PAINTING
a painting that inspired an iconic Christmas card is found hanging in an elderly woman's home... and it's now worth £70,000 -
HORSES MADE OF DRIFTWOOD
These beautiful horse sculptures are even more incredible because each one of them is made of driftwood -
MEET THE SPARROWS WHO LUNCH
These tree sparrows are captivating as they tuck into red millet seeds in perfect symmetry - five to a feeder -
CHINESE MAN DRIVES WITH NO ARMS
Chinese police got a surprise when they pulled over a brand new 4x4 for a routine check - the driver had no arms -
PLAGUE OF THE PARAKEETS
A record 20,000 ring-necked parakeets are brightening up British skies - but at a cost to farmers -
WILD THINGS: ROCK MUSIC CALMS ELLIES
Zookeepers play Led Zeppelin to elephants to improve their behaviour in the mornings -
ABANDONED BATS KEEP WARM IN DUSTERS
A wildlife centre is trying to cope with the bats who were ripped from trees during heavy storms in Australia, forcing their mums to abandon them
Ordeal of the 100 starving St Bernards abandoned at a kennels
Up to 100 St Bernard dogs have been rescued after being abandoned without food and water at a kennels. Two were in such a bad condition they later died. The dogs, which include puppies and fully-grown adults, had been locked in their cages and left unfed for several days. ...read
Mortgage lending dives 70% to second lowest figure on record as new bank collapses
Mortgage lending plunged 70 per cent in just four weeks, figures have revealed. Lending collapsed in October to just £459million, compared with £1.5billion in September.
Mother loses libel case against daughter who wrote book about her abusive childhood
The mother of a high-flying barrister has lost her libel case over a book in which her daughter accused her of child abuse.
One small price for man: City banker pays £50,000 to become world's first 'affordable' space tourist
A banker is set to become the world's first 'affordable' space tourist. Per Wimmer will tomorrow be announced as the first customer of private space tourism company Xcor.
THE BEST OF THE WEB - DIGESTED
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What phone-sex workers REALLY look like
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Caught on satellite: The image from space that tracked down the Somali pirate ship
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Sex is usually more trouble than it's worth, says Dalai Lama
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Is this the worst Christmas card ever?
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Remains of Slave Ship Found
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Anti-sex campaigners kiss for first time AFTER they wed
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Geysers on Saturn's moon could signal life
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Archaeologists discover 2,700-year-old mummy buried with stash of cannabis
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Architects' amazing optical illusions
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Saudi girlband have to perform in secret
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Why women are more likely to be unfaithful in their 30s
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Oligarchs on their uppers: Hard times at Moscow's Millionaire Fair
It's a lottery on the high street as shoppers search for VAT cuts
Alistair Darling's VAT cut has come into effect, causing confusion in the high street.
Bitter civil servant 'hacked son of ex-lover to death in revenge after she ended affair'
A bitter civil servant killed his former lover's son in a revenge attack, the Old Bailey heard today.
Rail chaos? It must be Christmas as fiasco fears loom again
There is no guarantee that last year's Christmas and New Year trains chaos will not be repeated, the rail watchdog has admitted. It fears similar engineering overruns could again affect millions of travellers.
BEST OF OUR BLOGS
- PETER HITCHENS: Like Haig on the Somme, we'll bleed to death in Afghanistan
- BENEDICT BROGAN: Harman's secret operation to rescue Speaker
- NATHAN KAY: My night with Kate Moss and Jamie Hince ... and their A list pals
- KATIE NICHOLL: As Royals cut back, will the Princes stay off the piste?
IN OUR OPINION
- MAIL COMMENT: The unsung carers crying out for help Scandalously NHS trusts are failing to gear up their services to alleviate the growing dementia crisis
- RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: If I'm not here on Friday, you'll know I've been nicked Jacqui Smith is lying through her teeth over the arrest of Damian Green
- STEPHEN GLOVER: What is wrong with Britain's police chiefs? Many of us no longer regard the police as on our side
- LORRAINE MORGAN: Some of our nurses are a disgrace (I can say it, because I'm a nurse myself) What's gone wrong with nursing
icon below an article to save to your favourite stories fileTOP SPORT STORIES
- Top of the world: Ronaldo nets Ballon d'Or to cap golden season United superstar confirmed as the winner of the 2008 World Player of the Year Award
- Red missed! Gerrard airshot sums up Liverpool frustration Liverpool blow the chance to open up a three-point gap at the top of the Premier League
- Robinho: City lack the mentality of champions After an invisible display in the Manchester derby, the Brazilian claims his Man City team-mates lack mental strength
- No January spending spree for Scolari Chelsea chief exec Peter Kenyon has promised a complete overhaul of the Chelsea playing squad next summer
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