Dramatic new evidence that Cabinet rebel Jack Straw was sacked as Foreign Secretary as a result of pressure from George W. Bush has been revealed. Senior sources close to the US Government told The Mail on Sunday that Mr Straw’s outspoken opposition to America’s policies on the Middle East was discussed by White House aides weeks before his shock dismissal by Tony Blair in May. It follows the disclosure that the Bush Administration feared Mr Straw was in the pocket of Muslims in his Blackburn constituency. And it gives further credence to claims that he was fired because of his refusal to back America’s all-out support for Israel.

Mail on Sunday, 6 August 2006