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Prescott warns over PM challenge Prescott warns over PM challenge
(30 minutes later)
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has warned that any leadership challenge to Gordon Brown would be "pointless" and "divisive".Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has warned that any leadership challenge to Gordon Brown would be "pointless" and "divisive".
He said no potential successor had the "right skills" to replace the PM.He said no potential successor had the "right skills" to replace the PM.
Writing in his first blog entry on a website used by party activists, he predicted Mr Brown would be "renewed and ready" after his summer holiday.Writing in his first blog entry on a website used by party activists, he predicted Mr Brown would be "renewed and ready" after his summer holiday.
Current deputy leader Harriet Harman said Labour was focusing on leading the country, not plotting against Mr Brown.Current deputy leader Harriet Harman said Labour was focusing on leading the country, not plotting against Mr Brown.
Britain was lucky to have Mr Brown at the helm during the present economic difficulties, Ms Harman told the BBC. Mr Brown's experience as chancellor meant he was the best person the lead the country through the current economic problems, she told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show.
It would be wrong to turn it into a political crisis, she added. "You know, people ring up Gordon Brown to get advice from all around the world on economic circumstances," she said.
"He is well respected, and therefore well placed to precipitate the international action we need, as well as take the action we need here at home."
'Unprecedented problems''Unprecedented problems'
The BBC has reported that some senior Labour Party figures, including former ministers, are considering possible options for unseating Mr Brown. None of them at the present moment has anywhere near the skills and experience, nationally and internationally, to lead this great party and country John Prescott The BBC has reported that some senior Labour Party figures, including former ministers, are considering possible options for unseating Mr Brown.
None of them at the present moment has anywhere near the skills and experience, nationally and internationally, to lead this great party and country John Prescott
And numerous reports of plotting in the party following the by-election defeat at Glasgow East early on Friday have appeared in the press.And numerous reports of plotting in the party following the by-election defeat at Glasgow East early on Friday have appeared in the press.
Writing on the Labourhome website, Mr Prescott says he hopes "fellow Labour MPs will take a break too - both from the Westminster bubble and divisive talk of a pointless leadership challenge".Writing on the Labourhome website, Mr Prescott says he hopes "fellow Labour MPs will take a break too - both from the Westminster bubble and divisive talk of a pointless leadership challenge".
Noting that he had worked with the last three leaders and all cabinet ministers since 1997, Mr Prescott added: "We have, undoubtedly, some very talented men and women.Noting that he had worked with the last three leaders and all cabinet ministers since 1997, Mr Prescott added: "We have, undoubtedly, some very talented men and women.
"But with respect, none of them at the present moment has anywhere near the skills and experience, nationally and internationally, to lead this great party and country as we tackle these unprecedented major global problems.""But with respect, none of them at the present moment has anywhere near the skills and experience, nationally and internationally, to lead this great party and country as we tackle these unprecedented major global problems."
Mr Prescott left his deputy leader post when Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister in June 2007. He is set to step down as Hull East MP at the next general election.
Mr Brown started his summer holidays in Suffolk on Saturday
He added it had only been a year since Mr Brown became prime minister and "party members and the public will never forgive MPs and others who force Labour to go through another leadership election in less than two years".
Earlier, Justice Secretary Jack Straw told the BBC he had no plans to mount a leadership bid, despite reports an ally is canvassing support.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls acknowledged it was a testing time for the government but said the party was united on a positive programme for the future.
"The thing we have to show is the strength, the discipline, the backbone as a party to do what the public wants, which is not to turn in on ourselves as Jack Straw warned against, but to show on the big issues - whether it's energy prices, the economy, people's concerns about public services - we can deliver," he said.
But shadow foreign secretary William Hague said Labour was "increasingly losing the authority to govern".
"It's now been defeated in elections in every part of the country and I think they have come to the point where the best thing they could do is call a general election and let a proper government take charge," he said.