UK News: Multi-millionaire is named Barclays boss

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE banker Bob Diamond was named as the next chief executive of banking group Barclays today. Mr Diamond, who is estimated to be worth £95 million, will take over from John Varley after the incumbent steps down on March 31 next year, the bank announced.

Housing giant 'insolvent'

SOCIAL housing giant Connaught is on the brink of collapse, it was reported today.

The property services group has 220 million of debt and will be put into administration by its bank creditors, under UK insolvency procedures, according to the reports.

The group employs 10,000 people.

MPs demand answers on phone hacking claims

A TOP Scotland Yard officer faced a grilling today over the newspaper phone-hacking row.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates was due to be questioned by the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee amid intense pressure on David Cameron's communications chief Andy Coulson.

Mr Yates indicated that he was willing to reopen the investigation into alleged phone hacking if new evidence was forthcoming.

Voters abandon Lib Dems

MORE than a fifth of those who voted Liberal Democrat at the general election are now supporting Labour, according to a new poll released today.

Research by ComRes provided more evidence of the impact of the Lib Dems' decision to sign up for coalition government.

Just 62 per cent of those who backed the Lib Dems on May 6 said they would do so again now.

Rooney is 'happy to play'

WAYNE Rooney is "happy to play" for England tonight despite lurid headlines about his private life, manager Fabio Capello said.

The player flew to Switzerland with the squad following allegations that he had sex with a prostitute while his wife Coleen was pregnant.

Tube strike causes chaos

London: Millions of commuters were facing travel chaos today after London Underground workers began a fresh wave of 24-hour strikes - a move that will cost the economy almost 50 million.

Thousands of members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association walked out at 5pm yesterday.

Devon: A founding member of rock group Electric Light Orchestra was killed when a giant bale of hay tumbled down a hill and crashed on to his van. Cellist Mike Edwards, 62, died after the 94-stone bale careered down a field on to the road.