Polly Curtis. The government today gave its support to vivisection, following the publication last year of a controversial report by an all-party select committee of peers that said animal experiments were needed for medical progress. Animal Aid disagrees.

The government and Lords differ on freedom of information about animal experiments, and how research into the three R's should be funded.

Robin McKie. Professor Colin Blakemore, head of the Medical Research Council (MRC), during a meeting with Science Minister Lord Sainsbury last week announced he will quit his post unless the Government pledges to reform the honours system and publicly and unequivocally back all scientists who use animals in their work. It is believed it was pressure from the Prince of Wales that he was snubbed for a knighthood several days ago.

Rhiannon Edward. A senior government scientist threatened to quit yesterday if ministers failed to back experiments on animals. Colin Blakemore, the head of the Medical Research Council, (MRC) spoke out after reports that he was not put forward for an honour because of his support for the work.

Roger Highfield, science editor. Prof Colin Blakemore, the nation's most senior medical scientist, threatened to quit yesterday unless the Prime Minister restated the Government's support for the need to conduct experiments on animals.