Islington Council appear to have succumbed to Arsenal's all-out media offensive, backing plans for the new Ashburton Grove stadium by a 34-7-1 margin on the first of three votes.

It's hardly surprising, given the amount of pressure Arsenal have been piling on... even to the point of playing up the will-he-won't-he saga of Arsene's contract for the last several months (as exclusively pontificated, and confirmed here!).

Two more votes will follow - on the plans for Lough Road, and finally on the redevelopment of Arsenal Stadium, Avenell Road.

Rupe adds...
Those 2 votes have now also been taken, and have also been passed with 34 votes in Arsenal's favour.

What happens now is that Ken Livingstone has to give consent. He can refuse if he thinks the proposals run contrary to his policies. Indications so far have been that he will not refuse consent, although presumably the opponents of the plans will now increase pressure on him to do so. The Govt office for London will also advise Secretary of State Stephen Byers on whether he should call for a public inquiry. If he does it would take place in 6-9 months, with a decision being made up to 12 months after that.