The Australian's team-mate Sebastian Vettel ended the session 16th fastest, sandwiched between the Ferraris of Bahrain winner Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa as all three appeared to concentrate on race preparation with heavy fuel loads.

BBC: Lewis Hamilton fastest in Friday Australian GP practice

The union also successfully disputed Mr Scargill's fuel allowance at his Barnsley home and payment for the preparation of his annual tax return but not the cost of his security system in Yorkshire.

BBC: Arthur Scargill

At midweek, Mr Ahmadinejad had yet to unveil long-awaited proposals aimed at unblocking the diplomatic impasse that Iran caused last month when, after two years of interruptions, it resumed work in preparation for enriching uranium for use as reactor fuel, says Iran, though many governments suspect it of having bomb-making ambitions.

ECONOMIST: Iran