This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8032125.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Harman: 'I don't want to be PM' Harman: 'I don't want to be PM'
(20 minutes later)
Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has denied a report she would fight for the party leadership, as speculation grows over Gordon Brown's position.Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has denied a report she would fight for the party leadership, as speculation grows over Gordon Brown's position.
But she insisted the story was "simply not true" and under "no circumstances" would she be a candidate.But she insisted the story was "simply not true" and under "no circumstances" would she be a candidate.
She told the BBC's Today programme: "I don't want to be prime minister and I don't want to be leader of the party."She told the BBC's Today programme: "I don't want to be prime minister and I don't want to be leader of the party."
The Daily Telegraph said Ms Harman told friends she would stand if backbenchers tried to force the PM from office.The Daily Telegraph said Ms Harman told friends she would stand if backbenchers tried to force the PM from office.
Ms Harman said she intended to keep the promise she made to Labour members at the time her election as deputy leader that she would stand behind Mr Brown. Ms Harman said she intended to keep the promise she made to Labour members at the time of her election as deputy leader - that she would stand behind Mr Brown.
She added: "My ambition is to remain his loyal and supportive deputy."She added: "My ambition is to remain his loyal and supportive deputy."
Ms Harman made her point on the BBC by defacing a newspaper reportMs Harman made her point on the BBC by defacing a newspaper report
But she refused to comment on criticism of the government by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.But she refused to comment on criticism of the government by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.
On Sunday, Ms Blears condemned what she called the government's "lamentable" failure to communicate.On Sunday, Ms Blears condemned what she called the government's "lamentable" failure to communicate.
She wrote: "YouTube if you want to. But it's no substitute for knocking on doors or setting up a stall in the town centre."She wrote: "YouTube if you want to. But it's no substitute for knocking on doors or setting up a stall in the town centre."
But in a statement issued later, she said: "Any suggestion that I intended what I wrote as criticism of him [Mr Brown] or his leadership is completely wrong. I fully support the collective decisions we take."But in a statement issued later, she said: "Any suggestion that I intended what I wrote as criticism of him [Mr Brown] or his leadership is completely wrong. I fully support the collective decisions we take."
Gurkha rightsGurkha rights
Earlier, Ms Harman's spokeswoman said the Telegraph story - which suggested Ms Harman would refuse to stand aside for a "unity candidate" should Mr Brown move on - was "utter rubbish".Earlier, Ms Harman's spokeswoman said the Telegraph story - which suggested Ms Harman would refuse to stand aside for a "unity candidate" should Mr Brown move on - was "utter rubbish".
She both coined a catchy phrase and risked publicly contradicting her boss What is Hazel Blears up to?She both coined a catchy phrase and risked publicly contradicting her boss What is Hazel Blears up to?
It follows a week in which Mr Brown suffered his first serious Commons setback since 2007, losing a vote on the rights of Gurkhas to settle in the UK.It follows a week in which Mr Brown suffered his first serious Commons setback since 2007, losing a vote on the rights of Gurkhas to settle in the UK.
He also faced criticism of his handling of the reform of MPs' expenses - announced on Downing Street's YouTube site - and opinion polls showing Labour trailing the Conservatives.He also faced criticism of his handling of the reform of MPs' expenses - announced on Downing Street's YouTube site - and opinion polls showing Labour trailing the Conservatives.
BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said many MPs were deeply troubled by the prime minister's performance and ex-Home Secretary Charles Clarke has said recent events made him "ashamed" to be a Labour MP.BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said many MPs were deeply troubled by the prime minister's performance and ex-Home Secretary Charles Clarke has said recent events made him "ashamed" to be a Labour MP.
IssuesIssues
Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Secretary Jack Straw and former Labour leader Neil Kinnock have all since defended the prime minister's leadership. Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Justice Secretary Jack Straw have since defended the prime minister's leadership.
Mr Johnson said Ms Blears would have been distraught over the reaction to her article Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told GMTV that there would "absolutely not" be a leadership challenge, adding that Mr Brown was "a serious politician for serious times" who would lead the party at the next general election.
Mr Johnson told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show he was not sure whether presentation was Mr Brown's "strength" but added that the focus at the next election would be on "issues", such as the economy. In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Lord Kinnock warned in-fighting risked handing seats to the BNP in June's European elections.
Discussing whether he would launch a bid for the leadership, Mr Johnson said: "I am not saying there's no circumstances."
And in an interview with the Guardian newspaper on Monday Lord Kinnock warned in-fighting risked handing seats to BNP in June's European elections.
He said discussions of a possible leadership challenge to oust Mr Brown before a general election was "ludicrous and damaging".He said discussions of a possible leadership challenge to oust Mr Brown before a general election was "ludicrous and damaging".
"In order to maintain Labour advances... we have all got to get behind Gordon," he said."In order to maintain Labour advances... we have all got to get behind Gordon," he said.
Mr Brown will seek to take regain control of events on Tuesday when he is expected to deliver a major speech on education.Mr Brown will seek to take regain control of events on Tuesday when he is expected to deliver a major speech on education.