More than 24,000 immigrants in Central London have been left off official population figures, resulting in an £18 million shortfall in town hall funds, it has been claimed.

A two-tier market in luxury and cut-price cocaine is developing in Britain, according to an annual survey by drug charities.

Jersey’s Health Minister was sacked after he blew the whistle on a harsh punishment regime in a home where children as young as 11 were kept in solitary confinement.

{mosimage}Stuart Syvret, the island’s longest-serving and most popular senator, had accused ministers, civil servants and social workers of failing to protect children but he was forced out this week after losing a vote of confidence in Jersey’s parliament, the States.

He claimed to have been defeated by the “one-party oligarchy” of the Jersey establishment. But Frank Walker, the Chief Minister, accused Mr Syvret of bullying and harassing staff and bringing the Channel Island into disrepute. As to Mr Syvret’s abuse claims, the Government said that it had set up an inquiry, to be led by Andrew Williamson, a British childcare expert.

Mr Syvret told The Times yesterday: “There is a climate of fear throughout public administration in Jersey but people will be even more terrified than they were before. The fact that I have become the first health and social services minister in postwar Western Europe sacked for whistle-blowing sends an appalling signal.”

A sheltered housing complex for elderly people remains closed after more than 30 residents were led to safety from the premises when fire broke out.