January 2006 in Britain and Ireland

Events in Britain and Ireland

This page deals with events in the English-speaking places of Europe. These are England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and Gibraltar.

6 January 2006 (Friday)

• Merseyside Police in Liverpool, England apologise for not responding to calls from a radio DJ when a regular caller to a phone-in on local station Magic 1548 died during a conversation last night. DJ Pete Price abandoned his show and took a taxi to the home of the caller identified only as "Terry" to find an ambulance crew already there. (BBC)
• The Member of Parliament for Dunfermline and West Fife, Rachel Squire, dies after a long battle with cancer. (BBC)

5 January 2006 (Thursday)

• The leader of Britain's Liberal Democrat Party, Charles Kennedy, admits being treated for alcohol-related problems for the last 18 months but has not drunk for the last two months. The revelation, open knowledge in political and media circles for some time, comes amidst mounting criticism of his leadership. He calls a party leadership election, in which he will stand. (BBC)

4 January 2006 (Wednesday)

• David Cameron, the new leader of the Conservative Party, announces major changes to policy on the National Health Service.

British and Irish events by month

• 2007 in the United Kingdom: January February March April May June July
• 2006 in the United Kingdom: January February March April May June July August September October November December
• 2005 in the United Kingdom: January February March April May June July August September October November December
• 2004 in the United Kingdom: December

(For earlier events in Britain and Ireland, see November 2004 and preceding months)