Later, Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith wrote to Prime Minister Tony Blair urging him to give the opposition space next Tuesday so that it could debate a "motion of censure" against Mr Byers.

BBC: Sixsmith: Byers 'tore up' agreement

Although many lawmakers have been quoted as saying they believe a motion of censure rather than articles of impeachment would gain more votes in the House, the Republicans said the committee majority is following its own course and that there has been little if any coordination with the party leadership.

CNN: House panel reportedly draws up Clinton impeachment charges

Add, finally, the bungling of the House Republicans, first in ruling out the alternative of a censure motion and then in needling the Senate to be equally partisan.

ECONOMIST: Bill Clinton��s luck