Ben Mitchell

Ben Mitchell is deputy editor of the cross-party blog Speaker's Chair, and contributing editor of Shifting Grounds.

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Fatboy Slim plays the House of Commons for Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Foundation in London, Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Fatboy Slim to headline at Bestival's 10th anniversary

Fatboy Slim has been announced as the final headliner for Bestival's 10th anniversary event.

This year revellers at the Isle of Wight Festival were unable to negotiate the muddy conditions in their cars

Isle of Wight Festival organisers make 'major improvements' to roads following last year's mudbath

Music-lovers need not fear bad weather at this year's Isle of Wight Festival following major improvements to the access routes to the site, according to the promoter.

Reflexology may be as effective as painkillers, according to researchers at the University of Portsmouth

Use reflexology to complement drugs in pain treatment, survey findings suggest

Reflexology may be as effective as painkillers, according to a new scientific survey.

An ancient gold ring, believed to have inspired JRR Tolkien to write The Hobbit, which is to have its own exhibition for the first time.

So bright, so beautiful... precious! Cursed ring thought to have inspired JRR Tolkien on display

An ancient gold ring which is believed to have inspired JRR Tolkien to write The Hobbit is to have its own exhibition for the first time.

Amazing CCTV footage shows massive blast as raiders hit petrol forecourt cash machine

Police have arrested a man in connection with a raid in which a petrol station cashpoint machine was blown open by thieves.

A police pulls a car over as part of a drive to inform motorists of the risk of using a phone while driving

I wasn't making mobile call, driver told police. I was only using the internet...

Motorists caught driving while using their mobile phones have blamed "ranting" ex-wives, over-zealous bosses and even childbirth for their offending behaviour, according to police.

Beautiful people are seen as good looking even if they distort their faces into grimaces of disgust, surprise, fear or anger - or that's the theory. Judge for yourself with Pink, Bill Clinton, And Murray and Mila Kunis

Does real beauty even shine through a grimace?

Or doesn't even a smile help unattractive people? Portsmouth university researchers say they have found the answer

<p>Russell Brand, 2007</p>
<p>Never one to shy away from offending, Russell raised a few eyebrows with quips about Robbie Williams’ spell in rehab, the Queen’s “naughty bits” and a British soldier killed in Iraq. ITV received over 300 complaint calls from viewers and Ofcom logged a further 135. </p>

Russell Brand: I recently wanted to take heroin

Comedian and former drug addict Russell Brand has admitted that he is still tempted to take heroin.

Nothing much on: Stephen Gough is the Naked Rambler

Now naked rambler Stephen Gough is covered by a nationwide Asbo

Naked rambler Stephen Gough has been issued with an interim anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) banning him from going nude in public places.

Trafficker jailed for using Polish workers as slaves

A “physical and mental bully” has been jailed for six years and three months for trafficking four men to the UK and exploiting them to work as slaves.

Day In a Page

The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
The 10 Best barbecues

The 10 Best barbecues

Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

Style icon calls time on his long retirement

David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
Steve Harper: My darkest times

Steve Harper: My darkest times

As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.