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Rumours that President Clinton is interested in becoming chancellor of Oxford University have surprised Oxford, as a vacancy will only arise if the present chancellor Lord Jenkins dies or relinquishes his position.

The idea may find favour among Clinton's friends at Downing Street, after Lord Jenkins's recent comments about Blair's "second-class mind".

But there will be no Florida-style election arrangements. Clinton would have to face an electorate of about 40,000 alumni with MA status, and beat about 50 other candidates.