Blair's Islington about to fall to Lib Dems

ISLINGTON, SPIRITUAL home of New Labour, is set to fall into the hands of the Liberal Democrats without a single vote being cast. The London borough, where Tony Blair lived for years before becoming Prime Minister, will cease to be Labour-controlled following the imminent disqualification of one of the party's councillors, it emerged last night.

After weeks of deliberations, Islington has received legal advice that concludes that Labour councillor Sheila Camp is not eligible to hold office, The Independent has learned. Presiley Baxendale, the QC who grilled Baroness Thatcher during the Scott Inquiry into the arms-to-Iraq affair, has recommended that Ms Camp be disqualified under the 1972 Local Government Act. Labour and the Liberal Democratshave 26 councillors each, with Labour retaining power on the mayor's casting vote.