Quotes of the week

I blame homophobia for my defeat. There is nothing I can do about that. It is sad.

David Ashby, MP, who lost a libel action in December and has now been deselected by North-West Leicestershire Conservative Association

I suppose if it was minced and seasoned it would be possible to mask any bad flavours, but I would expect the [Trafalgar Square] pigeons to be terribly tough and ropey.

Michel Roux, chef at Le Gavroche, Mayfair, on the theft of 4,000 pigeons, allegedly to be sold to the catering trade

We're going to continue as long as we think that we can influence the debate.

Steve Forbes pledging to stay in the race for Republican nomination for president after losing the New York primary to Bob Dole

I believe British politics will be stronger and more effective if Chris Patten were to come back and take his proper place in it.

John Major praising the former cabinet minister who has been preparing for the British handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997