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07/01/2010
Brown Supporters Rally
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has dismissed an attempted internal leadership coupe as a "storm in a teacup".
Mr Brown told the BBC he was "leading from the front" following a potential challenge orchestrated by former ministers Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister had the full backing of all Cabinet members, despite reports several ministers had eventually 'bottled out' of supporting yesterday's campaign.
Reportedly among them were Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman.
All have since reiterated their allegiance to Mr Brown's premiership.
Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt had written to all Labour's parliamentary MPs asking them to participate in a secret ballot to decide on the Prime Minister's future "once and for all".
They failed to attract popular support, with no ministerial resignations or public statements of agreement.
The move came just weeks before a General Election, a time when all three main parties are shifting into pre-election mode.
Mr Straw said the coupe bid had "sunk" and had acted only to unite the party.
"I actually think it will have the effect of bringing people behind his leadership even more."
However, Tory Leader David Cameron said the episode only promoted a "deeply divided" government, while Lib Dem Nick Clegg said Labour had "lost its way".
Mr Clegg predicted alleged party in-fighting would not be resolved until Labour was "in opposition".
Mr Brown said he spent most of yesterday dealing with pressing national issues, including the treacherous wintry weather conditions.
He seemed unconcerned by the time it took some colleagues to express their support in the aftermath of the Hoon and Hewitt plot becoming public.
Mr Brown added: "So it's not going to take up much of my time and hasn't certainly taken up much of my time today or will in future days."
(PR/BMcC)
Mr Brown told the BBC he was "leading from the front" following a potential challenge orchestrated by former ministers Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister had the full backing of all Cabinet members, despite reports several ministers had eventually 'bottled out' of supporting yesterday's campaign.
Reportedly among them were Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman.
All have since reiterated their allegiance to Mr Brown's premiership.
Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt had written to all Labour's parliamentary MPs asking them to participate in a secret ballot to decide on the Prime Minister's future "once and for all".
They failed to attract popular support, with no ministerial resignations or public statements of agreement.
The move came just weeks before a General Election, a time when all three main parties are shifting into pre-election mode.
Mr Straw said the coupe bid had "sunk" and had acted only to unite the party.
"I actually think it will have the effect of bringing people behind his leadership even more."
However, Tory Leader David Cameron said the episode only promoted a "deeply divided" government, while Lib Dem Nick Clegg said Labour had "lost its way".
Mr Clegg predicted alleged party in-fighting would not be resolved until Labour was "in opposition".
Mr Brown said he spent most of yesterday dealing with pressing national issues, including the treacherous wintry weather conditions.
He seemed unconcerned by the time it took some colleagues to express their support in the aftermath of the Hoon and Hewitt plot becoming public.
Mr Brown added: "So it's not going to take up much of my time and hasn't certainly taken up much of my time today or will in future days."
(PR/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
