An episode of the Channel 4 programme Brass Eye, satirising media hysteria surrounding the issue of paedophilia, has led to more media hysteria after a government minister described it as "unspeakably sick".

Three ministers have condemned the broadcast but Channel 4 said it was asking "hard questions about the way society and the media deal with its most difficult problems". The government may also consider the tougher regulation of commercial television.

The Express says the Home Office is planning to double the number of sex offenders on its register by widening the list of offences.