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Brown is questioned by senior MPs Brown pressed on incentives claim
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is expected to face questions about the economy and the rising price of food, oil and energy as he appears before senior MPs. Gordon Brown has denied offering backbenchers incentives to vote through controversial counter-terrorism laws, during questioning by senior MPs.
It is the second time he has faced the Commons Liaison Committee, made up of the chairs of 30 select committees. The prime minister is facing the chairs of 30 Commons committees, among them Home Affairs chairman Keith Vaz.
"Managing the economic slowdown" is one topic he is due to be grilled on, a day after predictions of lower standards of living in the UK for at least a year. Mr Vaz, whose decision to back the proposals prompted rumours he had been offered a knighthood, asked Mr Brown to confirm he had made no such offers.
These sessions with the prime minister usually last for two and a half hours. "Not at all," replied Mr Brown, who also faces questions on the economy.
His appearance began at 1000 BST. Mr Vaz was in the news on Wednesday, after a letter to him from Labour chief whip Geoff Hoon, suggesting he may be "appropriately rewarded" for his help, was leaked to the Daily Telegraph.
The committee has also indicated it wishes to ask Mr Brown about "international flashpoints", which are likely to include the ongoing British military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the political situation in Zimbabwe. At the start of the session Tory MP Patrick Cormack suggested the reward might be the opportunity to question Mr Brown - to which Mr Vaz joked: "I'm not sure that's not being shortchanged".
Proposed constitutional reforms - such as the need to seek Parliament's approval before forces are sent into armed conflict abroad, and lifting of restrictions on protests outside Parliament - are also on the agenda. The prime minister is pressed on his lifestyle and job satisfaction by Tory MP Sir Patrick Cormack and urged to take a holiday - Mr Brown says he has "the best job in the world" class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7487029.stm">Key points as they happen
Fuel protests But in his question to the prime minister about counter-terrorism laws he also asked him to confirm he had not offered knighthoods, peerages or the "governorship of Bermuda".
The prime minister has faced growing pressure in recent weeks over the state of the economy. Mr Brown replied: "Not at all, nor do I recall writing any letters to anyone."
On Wednesday the Bank of England's new deputy governor, Charlie Bean, told MPs there was "not very much that we can do about that as a nation" to help the British economy without increasing productivity.On Wednesday the Bank of England's new deputy governor, Charlie Bean, told MPs there was "not very much that we can do about that as a nation" to help the British economy without increasing productivity.
There was also an unexpected profit warning from Sir Stuart Rose, Marks and Spencer's chief executive, who predicted "stormy times ahead" for the UK economy.There was also an unexpected profit warning from Sir Stuart Rose, Marks and Spencer's chief executive, who predicted "stormy times ahead" for the UK economy.
The same day also brought figures from the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors, showing the building of new homes had fallen at the fastest pace since 1995.The same day also brought figures from the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors, showing the building of new homes had fallen at the fastest pace since 1995.
And more than 200 hauliers parked their lorries on one of the main roads into London to demonstrate against rising fuel prices.And more than 200 hauliers parked their lorries on one of the main roads into London to demonstrate against rising fuel prices.
The price of oil has continued to climb as well, with Brent crude rising above $145 (£73) a barrel for the first time.The price of oil has continued to climb as well, with Brent crude rising above $145 (£73) a barrel for the first time.