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| Welsh Labour MP urges Brown to go | Welsh Labour MP urges Brown to go |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Welsh Labour MP has joined the calls from within his party for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step down. | A Welsh Labour MP has joined the calls from within his party for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step down. |
| Newport West MP Paul Flynn said the PM was "indecisive" over MPs' expenses and should make a "swift and orderly exit". | Newport West MP Paul Flynn said the PM was "indecisive" over MPs' expenses and should make a "swift and orderly exit". |
| But Mr Brown was backed by Wales Office minister Wayne David, who called him the best person to lead the country. | But Mr Brown was backed by Wales Office minister Wayne David, who called him the best person to lead the country. |
| On Thursday Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell became the latest minister to leave the cabinet, and urged Mr Brown to stand aside. | On Thursday Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell became the latest minister to leave the cabinet, and urged Mr Brown to stand aside. |
| Mr David told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme that Mr Purnell was part of a "very small and distinct minority", and the "silent majority" in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) continued to support the prime minister. | Mr David told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme that Mr Purnell was part of a "very small and distinct minority", and the "silent majority" in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) continued to support the prime minister. |
| He said he was "absolutely convinced" Mr Brown would lead the party into the next election. | He said he was "absolutely convinced" Mr Brown would lead the party into the next election. |
| He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward Wayne David MP | He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward Wayne David MP |
| "He's unquestionably the best person to lead this country. I believe not only ministers recognise that but I believe the overwhelming mass of Labour MPs believe that as well," said Mr David, the Caerphilly MP. | "He's unquestionably the best person to lead this country. I believe not only ministers recognise that but I believe the overwhelming mass of Labour MPs believe that as well," said Mr David, the Caerphilly MP. |
| "Many ministers, many members of the Parliamentary Labour Party stand absolutely firmly behind Gordon Brown. | "Many ministers, many members of the Parliamentary Labour Party stand absolutely firmly behind Gordon Brown. |
| "He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward." | "He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward." |
| But Mr Flynn said he hoped that Mr Brown accepted "the expected majority opinion of the Parliamentary Labour Party and he makes a swift and orderly exit". | But Mr Flynn said he hoped that Mr Brown accepted "the expected majority opinion of the Parliamentary Labour Party and he makes a swift and orderly exit". |
| "He's been heavy-footed, indecisive and defensive on MPs' expenses and many MPs have been unhappy with that. There is now a wide coalition asking for change in the PLP," added Mr Flynn. | "He's been heavy-footed, indecisive and defensive on MPs' expenses and many MPs have been unhappy with that. There is now a wide coalition asking for change in the PLP," added Mr Flynn. |
| Labour's Kevin Brennan, Cardiff West MP and parliamentary under secretary in the cabinet office, said he was surprised by Mr Purnell's resignation which he thought was unnecessary and out of line with the feelings of the PLP. | Labour's Kevin Brennan, Cardiff West MP and parliamentary under secretary in the cabinet office, said he was surprised by Mr Purnell's resignation which he thought was unnecessary and out of line with the feelings of the PLP. |
| Expenses criticism | Expenses criticism |
| Dai Havard, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said that bigger names than Mr Purnell might be required to resign from the cabinet in order for Mr Brown to stand down. | Dai Havard, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said that bigger names than Mr Purnell might be required to resign from the cabinet in order for Mr Brown to stand down. |
| "It's going to be an interesting few days but I think heavier hitters will need to come forward if Gordon Brown is to stand down. | "It's going to be an interesting few days but I think heavier hitters will need to come forward if Gordon Brown is to stand down. |
| "It will be interesting to see what the people around (Lord) Mandelson do. If they start moving, who knows?" he said. | "It will be interesting to see what the people around (Lord) Mandelson do. If they start moving, who knows?" he said. |
| Mr Purnell became the latest figure to quit the cabinet after Communities Secretary Hazel Blears stepped down earlier this week. | Mr Purnell became the latest figure to quit the cabinet after Communities Secretary Hazel Blears stepped down earlier this week. |
| Ms Blears had been under fire over her expenses claims despite repaying £13,000, following allegations she avoided paying capital gains tax on a property sale. | Ms Blears had been under fire over her expenses claims despite repaying £13,000, following allegations she avoided paying capital gains tax on a property sale. |
| She was tipped for the axe in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle. | She was tipped for the axe in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle. |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who also faced expenses criticism, went public on Tuesday with her decision to stand down. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who also faced expenses criticism, went public on Tuesday with her decision to stand down. |