Nancy disowns Ollie

WASHINGTON - The bizarre Virginia Senate race took a new turn yesterday as the former first lady Nancy Reagan denounced the Republican candidate Oliver North as a liar over his role in the Iran-Contra scandal which almost wrecked her husband's presidency, writes Rupert Cornwell.

Mrs Reagan said the former Marine Colonel had 'a great deal of trouble separating fact from fantasy. He lied to my husband and he lied about my husband. He kept things from him which he should not have kept from him.'

The attack is but the latest in recent days upon Mr North's integrity.

Almost every senior politician of the period, including President Ronald Reagan himself, has disowned him.