National news, latest UK news headlines & stories

Media warned: leave Hague alone

A long-standing friend and political colleague of William Hague called on the press to "back off", branding coverage of the Foreign Secretary's personal life "contemptible".Read

Pakistan cricketers freed by police

The three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of match-fixing allegations have been released without charge by police.Read

Temple worshippers' miracle escape

Firefighters said it was an "absolute miracle" no-one was killed in an explosion at a Hare Krishna temple.Read

Afghan violence 'will get worse'

Violence in Afghanistan will get worse before it gets better, Britain's most senior military commander in the country has predicted.Read

Temple worshippers safe after blast

Worshippers believed to be trapped inside a blazing Hare Krishna temple after an explosion have all been accounted for, the fire and rescue service said.Read

Chief defends BBC's impartiality

The director general of the BBC has defended the Corporation's impartiality after it was disclosed he met a senior government aide in Downing Street to discuss coverage of the Government's spending cuts.Read

Clegg leads tributes to Cyril Smith

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has led tributes to "larger-than-life" politician Sir Cyril Smith, who has died at the age of 82.Read

Phone-hacking case faces review

There may be a case for HM Inspector of Constabulary to be called in to investigate allegations relating to phone-hacking by journalists at the News of the World, shadow home secretary Alan Johnson has said.Read

Police quiz for Pakistan cricketers

Three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of match-fixing allegations are being questioned by police as the sport's governing body insisted corruption in the game was not widespread.Read

Worshippers 'trapped' after blast

Worshippers are believed to be trapped inside a blazing Hare Krishna temple after an explosion, the fire and rescue service said.Read

Rape and murder blog stalker jailed

A stalker has been jailed after writing a blog about raping and murdering a woman he had been harassing in real life for two years.Read

Murder charge mother in secure unit

A mother charged with murdering her two-year-old son has been remanded to a secure psychiatric hospital.Read

'Clarity' call to BBC over meeting

Labour has called for "clarity and reassurance" from the BBC after the director general of the corporation was photographed going into a meeting in Downing Street to apparently discuss coverage of government spending cuts.Read

Homeless man dies after arrest

An investigation has been launched after a man arrested for begging was found collapsed in a police cell and later died, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said.Read

Ex-MP Sir Cyril Smith dies aged 82

Veteran politician Sir Cyril Smith has died aged 82.Read

Ex-MI6 man jailed for secrets sale

A former member of MI6 who tried to sell secrets for £2 million has been sentenced to 12 months in jail.Read

Clegg 'won't profit from home sale'

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is selling his constituency home and is planning to honour his pledge not to pocket any profit he makes from the sale, his spokesman has confirmed.Read

Farage enters Ukip leadership race

UK Independence Party MEP Nigel Farage has confirmed he is standing for the party's leadership.Read

Ex-MI6 man jailed over secrets bid