Clare Short MP, the former Secretary of State for International Development, has spoken of her belief that the world’s richest countries are collaborating in slavery today in the same way Christian Churches collaborated in the Slave Trade over 200 years ago.

Clare Short, seen by many in the churches as an important ally over issues of peacemaking and international development, has said she is to step down as an MP.

Mark Thompson, is the most influential Roman Catholic lay person in Britain, according to an analysis by the Catholic weekly The Tablet.

Clare Short has warned that whilst questions must be answered following the death of the MoD adviser Dr David Kelly, to forget the thousands of Iraqi civilians who died in the Iraq war would be to fail to give equal value to all human life.

In a surprising statement on Good Friday, the International Development Secretary revealed that she thinks in theological terms.

International development secretary Clare Short has set off for New York on a 'healing mission' where she will meet with top-level UN officials in a bid to discuss the post-conflict reconstruction of Iraq.