Deadline for Hodge to make public apology

Margaret Hodge faced a new deadline today as she battled to stay in her job as Children's Minister. She has been given until this afternoon to say sorry in open court to Demetrious Panton, whom she labelled an "extremely disturbed person".

Mr Panton, 35, who was abused in an Islington council care home as a boy, also wants the minister to pay £10,000 to a charity of his choice and meet his costs - otherwise he has said he will sue her. If he does so Mrs Hodge would almost certainly have to resign to fight the action.