The year in review: month-by-month guide to 2006
January
It was far from a slow start to the year. Less than a week into 2006, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy admitted he was receiving treatment for alcoholism. He called a party leadership election and two days later he resigned. Later in January, a Northern Bottlenose whale lost its way and swam into the River Thames. Despite a rescue attempt the whale sadly died. Before the first month of the year was up, relations between Britain and Russia were put under pressure after the Russians accused British diplomats of spying on them using a fake rock. In the world of sport, England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson announced he would be leaving his post after the summer's World Cup and Robbie Fowler returned to Liverpool.
It was far from a slow start to the year. Less than a week into 2006, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy admitted he was receiving treatment for alcoholism. He called a party leadership election and two days later he resigned. Later in January, a Northern Bottlenose whale lost its way and swam into the River Thames. Despite a rescue attempt the whale sadly died. Before the first month of the year was up, relations between Britain and Russia were put under pressure after the Russians accused British diplomats of spying on them using a fake rock. In the world of sport, England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson announced he would be leaving his post after the summer's World Cup and Robbie Fowler returned to Liverpool.
February began with a buzz of excitement in Europe as the jackpot for the EuroMillions lottery reached €180 million following 11 successive rollovers. Unfortunately for British participants, the jackpot was shared by two French people and someone from Portugal. Hook-handed cleric, Abu Hamza al-Masri, who preached at the Finsbury Park mosque, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of inciting murder and race hate. February also saw the theft of £53 million from the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent. At the Winter Olympics in Turin, Shelley Rudman picked up Britain’s only medal when she won silver in the women's skeleton.
March
At the beginning of March, Sir Menzies Campbell was voted in as leader of the Liberal Democrats and Gary Glitter was convicted of molesting underage girls in Vietnam. John Profumo and Slobodan Milosevic both died and the Labour party found itself at the centre of a cash for honours scandal. Scotland became the first part of the UK to introduce a ban on smoking in public places and in football, the Premier League confirmed former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Stevens would head up its investigation into transfer bungs.
At the beginning of March, Sir Menzies Campbell was voted in as leader of the Liberal Democrats and Gary Glitter was convicted of molesting underage girls in Vietnam. John Profumo and Slobodan Milosevic both died and the Labour party found itself at the centre of a cash for honours scandal. Scotland became the first part of the UK to introduce a ban on smoking in public places and in football, the Premier League confirmed former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Stevens would head up its investigation into transfer bungs.
On April Fool’s Day, the Serious Organised Crime Agency was launched, which was dubbed the “British FBI”. A dead swan in Scotland tested positive for bird flu and Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown won a court battle to prove he hadn’t copied his novel from another source. In a busy sporting month, Oxford won the boat race and the Grand National was won by Numbersixvalverde.
May
The Labour Party didn’t enjoy the month of May much. In the 2006 local elections the party lost more than 300 councillors. In contrast, the Tories had their best local election results since 1992. Following the election disaster, Tony Blair announced a major Cabinet re-shuffle that included John Reid replacing Charles Clarke as Home Secretary. Margaret Beckett became Foreign Secretary and Jack Straw became Commons Leader. Later in the month, Blair announced British troops would be out of Iraq within four years, Justin Gatlin set a new world record for the 100 metres (9.76 seconds) and Barcelona beat Arsenal in the Champions League final. The Premiership season came to a close in May, with Chelsea top of the tree for a second year running.
The Labour Party didn’t enjoy the month of May much. In the 2006 local elections the party lost more than 300 councillors. In contrast, the Tories had their best local election results since 1992. Following the election disaster, Tony Blair announced a major Cabinet re-shuffle that included John Reid replacing Charles Clarke as Home Secretary. Margaret Beckett became Foreign Secretary and Jack Straw became Commons Leader. Later in the month, Blair announced British troops would be out of Iraq within four years, Justin Gatlin set a new world record for the 100 metres (9.76 seconds) and Barcelona beat Arsenal in the Champions League final. The Premiership season came to a close in May, with Chelsea top of the tree for a second year running.
June began with a dawn raid on a suspected bomb factory in Forest Gate, London, during which police shot a 23-year-old man in front of his family. Saddam Hussein’s trial hit the headlines yet again for the wrong reasons after one of his principal defence lawyers was shot dead in Baghdad. The World Cup kicked off in Germany and the hosts beat Costa Rica 4 – 2 in the opening game in Berlin. England won its first match against Paraguay courtesy of an own goal.