Car crash overshadows Labour poster launch

A Labour election poster launch has been overshadowed by a car crash just yards away.

The incident occurred at Hockley Circus outside the New Bingley Hall community and conference centre in Birmingham.

Several senior Cabinet ministers, including Lord Mandelson and Chancellor Alistair Darling, were gathered in the car park for the launch.

As the Business Secretary made his speech, a Volkswagen Golf careered off the road and into a bus shelter.

Witnesses said the Golf was clipped by a refuse truck. The driver of the Golf, which was left severely damaged, lost control of the car but luckily escaped uninjured.

The driver, Omed Rashid, said he would be voting Labour next Thursday.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "We are pleased no one was hurt."