The Best and the Worst of the British Press

L O N D O N, June 11, 2001 -- Now that William Hague has stepped down as Tory leader following last week's devastating defeat in Britain's general elections, the question on everyone's minds is who will lead?

Shadow chancellor Michael Portillo appears to be the front-runner, reports The Guardian. Portillo and former chancellor Kenneth Clarke are said to be joining forces to form a "dream ticket" for the leadership.

They are expected to stand on a platform of liberal social policies and a strong commitment to public services.

The duo is hoping to put an end to party debate over whether to join the European single currency and put the ghost of Thatcherism behind them for good.

A High-Tech Solution

The U.S. military spends billions of dollars making sure their high-tech, high-flying, stealth fighters go undetected. But, a British invention used in connection with mobile phones is giving military officials a run for their money, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Scientists at Roke Manor Research in Hampshire discovered telephone calls sent between mobile phone masts detected the precise position of stealth aircraft with great ease.

Peter Lloyd, head of projects at the laboratory's sensor department, told the newspaper, "I cannot comment in detail because it is a classified matter, but let's say the U.S. military is very interested."

‘I Can’t Believe You’re 80’

"I can't believe you're 80," Queen Elizabeth told to her husband, Prince Philip, at his birthday bash at Windsor Castle Sunday, writes the Daily Express.

Along with the queen, he was joined by her mother, the Queen Mum, who at nearly 101 is no spring chicken.

Prince Philip said, "I'm not sure that I recommend being 80. It's not so much the age, but trying to survive these celebrations."

One of the youngest members of the royal family, Prince William was not there. He is in Africa for the final months of a year off before starting university.

A Chick Is Born

For the first time in more than 150 years, an Osprey chick has successfully been hatched in England, writes the Daily Mail.

It follows a five-year project at a nature reserve in Leicestershire to see if the endangered birds that were so prominent in Scotland, could be reintroduced south of the border.

The bird was born on Wednesday as part of a joint project by Rutland Wildlife Trust, Anglian Water and the Highland Foundation for Wildlife. They have been trying to reintroduce the birds since the 1850s.