Ministers in bid to rescue Lords reforms

Ministers were today planning how to save the Government's constitutional reforms package after a defeat in the Lords.

Peers voted against the plan to abolish the ancient office of Lord Chancellor, a centrepiece of Tony Blair's plans for modernising the House of Lords.

Amid fears of further defeats over proposals to create a Supreme Court, the Government was considering whether to push the issue to a new vote. Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer hinted at a compromise.