Democrats gain control of US senate as Jeffords quits

US senator Mr James Jeffords has quit the Republican Party in a dramatic move that will give the Democrats control of the US Senate and threaten President George W Bush's conservative agenda.

I will leave the Republican Party and become an independent. Control of the Senate will be changed by my decision US senator Mr James Jeffords

Announcing his decision from his home state of Vermont, the moderate senator said: "I will leave the Republican Party and become an independent. Control of the Senate will be changed by my decision."

His decision gives the Democrats a 50-49 seat advantage in the Senate. The party will now control the body's agenda, undermining the Republican president's ability to push through his programs.