New Labour supporter Helena Kennedy QC – once tipped to replace Lord

Irvine and become the first Lady Chancellor – is embroiled in a dispute

with the Charity Commission over her u35,000 annual honorarium as

chairwoman of the British Council. The Charity Commission is disputing the

payment of a fixed sum rather than "reasonable expenses" but the British

Council says honorariums have always been paid to its chairpersons.

Meanwhile, Kennedy's remuneration has been blocked for 10 months.