UK Leads In Science Research

The UK is a world-leader in science and research, according to a new report being launched today by Universities and Science Minister. The International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base 2011 report published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills shows UK research attracts more citations per pound spent in overall research and development than any other country. It has also found that the UK research base is highly mobile, internationally competitive and diverse. In his Gareth Roberts Memorial Lecture at the Royal Society of Medicine, Minister for Science David Willetts said: “A strong research base is vital to driving growth and innovation. This report highlights both the quality of our researchers and also the ability of our world-class institutions to attract the very best talent to this country." The minister added that the Government was committed to maintaining the leading position and building on the UK’s record of academic and scientific achievement. "That’s exactly why we protected the £4.6 billion science and research budget and have invested nearly an additional £300 million in science capital projects over the past year,” said.

MP Quits Role Over 'Spy' Affair

A Liberal Democrat MP who was alleged to have fallen into a Russian spy 'honey trap' has resigned from his post on the defence select committee. Mike Hancock's relationship with Lib Dem worker Katia Zatuliveter came under the spotlight after the latter was accused of starting an affair with Mr Hancock to gain access to Government information. Ms Zatuliveter denies spying and is fighting her deportation at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. The Lib Dem MP for Portsmouth South resigned in a letter to the Lib Dems' chief whip Alistair Carmichael, on Tuesday morning. In it Mr Hancock said: "It is not appropriate for me to provide running commentary on on-going legal proceedings; however, I would like to make clear that at no time did I pass on material to Ms Zatuliveter which was not in the public domain or which was classified."

Queen Begins Tour Of Australia

The Queen has began an official tour of Australia as part of an 11-day tour of the antipodean continent. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, made the long-haul trip to open a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Perth next week. The royal couple will be based for much of their time in the capital Canberra but will also visit Melbourne and Brisbane. The Queen, 85, and Duke, 90, had made a 22-hour journey from Britain on a chartered British Airways Boeing 777 plane.

(DW/BMcC)