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Birmingham Lord Mayor in cancer pledge

Birmingham’s Lord Mayor has told of his determination to prevent his long-standing battle with cancer from restricting his duties as the first citizen. Read

Tories pursue West Midlands Minister Tom Watson in email row

Conservatives are gunning for West Midlands Minister Tom Watson, as they called for a search of Downing Street computers to determine who was involved in the “dirty tricks” scandal which led to the resignation of a senior Number 10 advisor. Read

Lib Dem councillor suspended after high court battle

Leading Birmingham Liberal Democrat city councillor Martin Mullaney begins a one-month suspension from public duties today after losing a high court battle over a publicity stunt. Read

Birmingham MP Liam Byrne apologises for wrong use of stationery

Government minister Liam Byrne has apologised for using House of Commons envelopes for sending mail to residents in Birmingham and has blamed a volunteer for the gaffe. Read

Erdington and Shrewsbury MPs under-fire for non-attendance

Two Midland MPs have been named as among the worst elected representatives in the country who have failed to show up for large numbers of Commons committees. Read

Birmingham Tories revolt over Whitby's plans to help LDV

Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby has attempted to shrug off a backbench Tory revolt which is threatening to destabilise his Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. Read

Jacqui Smith admits mistake but won't quit

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith said that she has not considered resigning after becoming embroiled in an expenses scandal. Read

Birmingham hosts first exhibition of portraits of Barack Obama administration

Birmingham has been given the go-ahead to host the world’s first exhibition of portraits of President Barack Obama and his administration. Read

Liam Byrne MP investigated by Parliamentary sleaze watchdog

The controversy over alleged breaches of Westminster allowances looks set to escalate after it emerged that a further Midlands MP is under investigation by the Parliamentary sleaze watchdog. Read

Bloggers part in G20 proceedings hailed a success

Political Editor Jonathan Walker talks to West Midlands MP Tom Watson about Downing Street’s campaign to court a new breed of internet journalist. Read

Birmingham Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne at centre of Commons sleaze row

A LEADING Midland MP is the latest Cabinet minister to become embroiled in the Commons sleaze row after it emerged that he is being investigated by the Parliamentary watchdog. Read

Staffordshire MP claims higher expenses than Jacqui Smith

Embattled Home Secretary Jacqui Smith received £22,948 from the taxpayer to help pay for her “second home” in Redditch last year, new House of Commons figures have revealed. Read

Brown steps in to ease pressure on Home Secretary over expenses

Jacqui Smith’s job appeared secure last night as Gordon Brown stepped in to offer the Home Secretary his full support. Read

Jacqui Smith husband apologises in adult film cash row

Embattled Home Secretary Jacqui Smith’s credibility took a further battering yesterday after her husband was forced to apologise over an expenses claim which included adult films he watched. Read

Jacqui Smith porn scandal: Husband's apology over blue movies

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's husband apologised today for causing her embarrassment over an expenses claim which included adult films he watched. Read

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith caught up in porn film claims scandal

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was said to be "mortified" today after she was forced to offer a humiliating apology for an expenses claim which included adult films watched by her husband. Read

'Bank of Birmingham' would need £200m to set up

It would take Birmingham City Council more than two years to gain regulatory approval to set up a municipal bank at a cost of about £200 million, it emerged last night. Read

Two Birmingham MPs among 13 Labour rebels on Iraq inquiry vote

Birmingham MPs Roger Godsiff (Sparkbrook & Small Heath) and Dr Lynne Jones (Selly Oak) were among 13 Labour rebels who voted for a Tory motion. Read

Watchdog inquiry on MPs' abuse of expenses

A sleaze watchdog is set to launch a wide-ranging inquiry into whether MPs abuse their expenses, after a second Government minister came under fire over claims for a second home. Read

Birmingham MP Lynne Jones calls for talks with Hamas

Britain and the European Union should open negotiations with Hamas, according to a Birmingham MP who met the leader of the Palestinian organisation over the weekend. Read