Britain backs Lagarde for top IMF job

Britain has said it is formally backing Christine Lagarde for the job of new head of the International Monetary Fund.

The post - one of the most important in global finance - became vacant after the arrest and resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn over an alleged sexual assault.

The support for Madame Lagarde means the Government has formally rejected Gordon Brown as a possible candidate.

This report by the BBC's business correspondent Joe Lynam contains some flash photography.