Blair to announce departure date

Tony Blair is preparing to make his long awaited announcement setting out his plans to step down as Labour leader and UK prime minister.
Mr Blair will tell Cabinet colleagues first, before outlining his plans in a speech in his Sedgefield constituency.

His spokesman said Mr Blair would be "focused" on being prime minister until Labour has chosen his successor - a process expected to last seven weeks.

Chancellor Gordon Brown is the clear favourite to succeed Mr Blair.