North blow

RICHMOND - A former Virginia governor, Douglas Wilder, quit his campaign for the Senate, giving the Democratic incumbent, Charles Robb, a better chance against Oliver North, the Iran-Contra figure. Mr Wilder's bid was threatening to split the Democratic vote. His withdrawal - polls gave him 12 per cent of the vote - gives Mr Robb the chance to garner more votes from blacks in his neck-and-neck race with Mr North, a Republican. AFP