Politicians and generals have been struggling to justify the Afghan war after a poll revealed the extent of public opposition. They have put forward different, and at times contradictory, arguments for keeping UK troops in Afghanistan.

Controversial new London Mayor Boris Johnson's deputy, a former Church of England minister, faces an enquiry into historic claims of inappropriate behaviour and financial misconduct, which he has dubbed "groundless".

Of the six minority candidates standing for election as London mayor, only one who is standing on an explicitly Christian ticket has been invited to attend the main hustings event for churches in central London.