Britain’s coalition government was deeply split Thursday on party lines over the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry for press regulation, leading Tories and LibDems to make separate government statements in Parliament.
Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg failed to agree on an united coalition response to the Leveson recommendation of setting up a new system of regulating the UK press that is independent, but underpinned by legislation.
This is the first time since 1932 that any government in the UK has made two differing statements on an issue, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow acknowledged Thursday afternoon.
Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg, who were both given copies of the 2,000-page report Wednesday afternoon, could not agree on a joint response and decided to address the House of Commons separately.
Mr Cameron agreed to the recommendations by Lord Justice Sir Brian Leveson, but made his opposition clear to any legislation being introduced by the government, saying that would “cross the Rubicon”.
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Ricky Ponting announces his retirement
Perth, Nov. 29: Ricky Ponting, one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket and Australia’s middle order bulwark for years, on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtain on an illustrious career spanning 17 years.
Ponting, who will retire after the third Test against South Africa beginning Friday, told a press conference he was calling it quits as he has not being performing for some time to the level he had desired.
The former Australian captain, 38 next month, scored 13,366 Test runs from 167 matches at an average of 52.21, second only to Sachin Tendulkar (15,562 from 192 matches). He made his Test debut in 1995 against Sri Lanka.
There were reports that Ponting met selectors ahead of the third Test after failing to perform in two games, but he said he was quitting on his own terms.
— PTI