Meanwhile, a ministerial aide quit to protest the government's readiness to go to war in Iraq and a Labor insider warned a revolt among legislators could broaden.

He was a ministerial aide in the Environment team (for which no additional remuneration is given), but resigned in 2003 when he voted against the Iraq War.

The same day ministerial aides met to co-ordinate the attack on Labour.

In late 2000, he was involved in a traffic accident and lost two of his ministerial aides.

But ministerial aides said it was better to get the increase out of the way this week, rather than have it happen during the conference.

A ministerial aide, Raitt's 26-year-old director of communications, Jasmine MacDonnell, offered her resignation which was accepted.

But the group has long had traditions that resemble ancient Jewish practices, said Mr. Freund, a former prime ministerial aide.

Green belt could be destroyed by open cast mining under new planning reforms, a ministerial aide has warned.

Some of the information published by the Canard clearly comes from very well-placed sources, likely including ministerial aides.

Williamson is currently a ministerial aide at the Northern Ireland Office.