THE miners' leader Arthur Scargill chose May Day yesterday to announce that his breakaway Socialist Labour Party would be fielding a candidate in Labour Party leader Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency at the next general election.
Mr Scargill said membership of his party was already "way ahead" of predictions and had exceeded "wildest expectations".
Mohamed Al Fayed, wealthy Egyptian chairman of London's luxury store Harrods yesterday denied a newspaper report that he planned to form a new political party in Britain.
The London Independent said al Fayed had earmarked $23 million to field candidate's from a provisionally titled Reform Party at the next general election, due within the next 12 months.
"Mr Al Fayed read with interest the lead story in The Independent newspaper this morning and wishes to make it clear that he has no secret plans to form a new political party," a statement from his spokesman said.
Film actor Omar Sharif is taking on some of the world's top bridge players at a bridge championship this week in the French capital.
The 64 year old star is among 52 participants gathered in a Paris hotel for the third annual General championship.