The government's car fleet has hit record levels. Figures obtained by Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker show the government car fleet has risen by 20 in the past 2 years.

Ministers have also upgraded 15 armoured limousines, ex prime ministers Sir Edward Heath, Lord Callaghan, Lady Thatcher and John Major all have heavy armour-plated chauffeur-driven Daimlers, among the least environmentally friendly vehicles on the road.

Peter Mandelson has launched a scathing attack on Ken Livingstone " He is..a bogus individual who has used the media to cultivate a Jack-the-Lad image but whose real identity is shot through with falseness and contradictions" "Whilst public transport is crying out to be rescued from endless delays, breakdowns and cancellations, the Mayor is crusading for street bumps and keeping the lights on red whilst spending a fortune battling with Government ministers over the future financing of the Tube"

He says Livingstone seems obsessed by his congestion charge "If the experiment fails, the cost of the chaos will be enormous."