MPs have criticised the prime minister after he announced that he will not make radical changes to the House of Lords.

Writing in today's Independent, the former leader of the House of Commons, Robin Cook, says that the statement "marks the final betrayal of the commitment in our manifesto to a democratic second chamber".

Tony Blair said that he would reappoint the current House of Lords appointments commission for three years, including its chairman, Lord Stevenson of Coddenham.