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PM confronts his Labour critics PM confronts his Labour critics
(40 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has faced his Labour critics after another minister quit with a blast at his leadership.Gordon Brown has faced his Labour critics after another minister quit with a blast at his leadership.
Environment minister Jane Kennedy said she could not support him as leader.Environment minister Jane Kennedy said she could not support him as leader.
It came as Labour digested a dire set of European election results which saw them gain just 15% of votes and finish behind the UK Independence Party.It came as Labour digested a dire set of European election results which saw them gain just 15% of votes and finish behind the UK Independence Party.
Mr Brown was applauded by most Labour MPs when he made what he called "an argument for unity", but some of his critics repeated calls for him to quit. Mr Brown was applauded by most Labour MPs despite admitting doing some things "not so well", but some of his critics repeated calls for him to quit.
At a separate meeting, former cabinet minister Stephen Byers called on the prime minister to resign.At a separate meeting, former cabinet minister Stephen Byers called on the prime minister to resign.
'Great support''Great support'
The meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party had been billed as crucial for Mr Brown's efforts to remain prime minister.The meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party had been billed as crucial for Mr Brown's efforts to remain prime minister.
During it, Charles Clarke, a former home secretary, told the prime minister he should quit, as did MPs Fiona McTaggart, Tom Harris and Siobhan McDonagh, the BBC understands.During it, Charles Clarke, a former home secretary, told the prime minister he should quit, as did MPs Fiona McTaggart, Tom Harris and Siobhan McDonagh, the BBC understands.
He can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup Conservative leader David Cameron on Gordon Brown href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8089825.stm">Brown prepares for crunch meeting Labour slumps to historic defeat UKIP beats Labour to second place Brown defiant amid leadership row He can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup Conservative leader David Cameron on Gordon Brown href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8090441.stm">Byers joins calls for PM to quit Labour slumps to historic defeat UKIP beats Labour to second place Brown defiant amid leadership row
But BBC political correspondent James Landale said MPs, crammed into the committee room, cheered and banged desks in support of the prime minister.But BBC political correspondent James Landale said MPs, crammed into the committee room, cheered and banged desks in support of the prime minister.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said there had been "no support" for the rebels who spoke and the meeting had been "overwhelmingly" supportive of the prime minister.Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said there had been "no support" for the rebels who spoke and the meeting had been "overwhelmingly" supportive of the prime minister.
According to his spokesman, Mr Brown told the room: "I'm not making a plea for unity, I am making an argument for unity."According to his spokesman, Mr Brown told the room: "I'm not making a plea for unity, I am making an argument for unity."
The prime minister that he had "strengths and weaknesses" and that there were "some things I do well and some things not so well".The prime minister that he had "strengths and weaknesses" and that there were "some things I do well and some things not so well".
Another ex-home secretary, David Blunkett, also told the meeting the rebels should "put up or shut up", the BBC has been told.Another ex-home secretary, David Blunkett, also told the meeting the rebels should "put up or shut up", the BBC has been told.
Tony Lloyd: "The overwhelming view is that Gordon is the right man to lead us"Tony Lloyd: "The overwhelming view is that Gordon is the right man to lead us"
Loyalist Lord Foulkes said there had been "great support for Gordon" and when Mr Clarke spoke "no-one even put their hands together".Loyalist Lord Foulkes said there had been "great support for Gordon" and when Mr Clarke spoke "no-one even put their hands together".
Backbencher Barry Sheerman - who had previously called for a debate on the leadership - said he had expressed his own reservations about Mr Brown, but had been won over by his pledge to consult more and be more transparent.Backbencher Barry Sheerman - who had previously called for a debate on the leadership - said he had expressed his own reservations about Mr Brown, but had been won over by his pledge to consult more and be more transparent.
Mr Sheerman added: "If the prime minister sticks to what he says, those of us who have been his critics will stand down for the time being."Mr Sheerman added: "If the prime minister sticks to what he says, those of us who have been his critics will stand down for the time being."
Conservative leader David Cameron said Mr Brown and his critics were locked in "a slow dance of political death".Conservative leader David Cameron said Mr Brown and his critics were locked in "a slow dance of political death".
"He can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup," he told Tory activists in Wales - where the Conservatives pushed Labour into second place in the European elections."He can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup," he told Tory activists in Wales - where the Conservatives pushed Labour into second place in the European elections.
'Not reappointed''Not reappointed'
Mr Brown has been reshuffling his junior ministers, following last week's cabinet reshuffle and departure of six cabinet ministers and several other ministers.Mr Brown has been reshuffling his junior ministers, following last week's cabinet reshuffle and departure of six cabinet ministers and several other ministers.
Part of that process has seen the departure of Ms Kennedy, Liverpool Wavertree MP, who has quit the government before - as health minister in 2006 over NHS reforms.Part of that process has seen the departure of Ms Kennedy, Liverpool Wavertree MP, who has quit the government before - as health minister in 2006 over NHS reforms.
She is well known in Labour circles for campaigning against the Militant Tendency in Liverpool in the 1980s.She is well known in Labour circles for campaigning against the Militant Tendency in Liverpool in the 1980s.
Jane Kennedy: 'Gordon Brown should indicate that he will step aside as leader'Jane Kennedy: 'Gordon Brown should indicate that he will step aside as leader'
She told the BBC: "I was asked if I wanted to stay in government and if I did, would I give an assurance that I would be in support of Gordon Brown?She told the BBC: "I was asked if I wanted to stay in government and if I did, would I give an assurance that I would be in support of Gordon Brown?
"I wasn't able to give them that assurance and therefore I have not been reappointed to the government.""I wasn't able to give them that assurance and therefore I have not been reappointed to the government."
Asked why she could not support him, she said: "I've been unhappy for some time about briefings against individuals, leaks, smears against colleagues.Asked why she could not support him, she said: "I've been unhappy for some time about briefings against individuals, leaks, smears against colleagues.
"It's a style, a type of politics that I have fought against all my working life since battling against the Militant Tendency here in Liverpool. It's not a kind of politics that I want to be associated with.""It's a style, a type of politics that I have fought against all my working life since battling against the Militant Tendency here in Liverpool. It's not a kind of politics that I want to be associated with."
Resignation 'regretted'Resignation 'regretted'
She added: "I have to do what I believe is right and I'm afraid for Gordon I can't support him as leader."She added: "I have to do what I believe is right and I'm afraid for Gordon I can't support him as leader."
Mr Brown's spokesman said the prime minister "did not ask for any pledge of loyalty from her or any other minister".Mr Brown's spokesman said the prime minister "did not ask for any pledge of loyalty from her or any other minister".
The spokesman said: "The prime minister was aware of Jane Kennedy's intention to stand down. He spoke to her this morning.The spokesman said: "The prime minister was aware of Jane Kennedy's intention to stand down. He spoke to her this morning.
Ever since James Purnell's dramatic resignation from the cabinet there has been what one of those working to unseat the prime minister describes as "a battle of the bodies". Nick RobinsonBBC Political Editor Read Nick Robinson's blogEver since James Purnell's dramatic resignation from the cabinet there has been what one of those working to unseat the prime minister describes as "a battle of the bodies". Nick RobinsonBBC Political Editor Read Nick Robinson's blog
"She explained her reasons and he said that he regretted the fact that she had decided to stand down but if that was her decision, then that was a matter for her.""She explained her reasons and he said that he regretted the fact that she had decided to stand down but if that was her decision, then that was a matter for her."
And Communities Secretary John Denham rejected complaints about bullying and smears, telling the BBC that the party had paid tribute to the work of Hazel Blears and James Purnell - who quit the cabinet last week.And Communities Secretary John Denham rejected complaints about bullying and smears, telling the BBC that the party had paid tribute to the work of Hazel Blears and James Purnell - who quit the cabinet last week.
"I don't think that is briefing against people. I don't think that's bullying. I think that's trying to treat colleagues fairly," he said."I don't think that is briefing against people. I don't think that's bullying. I think that's trying to treat colleagues fairly," he said.
Ms Kennedy was replaced by Jim Fitzpatrick in a reshuffle of junior ministers which also saw Ivan Lewis, Gillian Merron and sisters Maria and Angela Eagle promoted.Ms Kennedy was replaced by Jim Fitzpatrick in a reshuffle of junior ministers which also saw Ivan Lewis, Gillian Merron and sisters Maria and Angela Eagle promoted.
ReshuffleReshuffle
Sadiq Khan was announced as the new Transport Minister and will be the first Muslim MP to attend Cabinet in the role. Angela Smith was made minister of state at the Cabinet Office.Sadiq Khan was announced as the new Transport Minister and will be the first Muslim MP to attend Cabinet in the role. Angela Smith was made minister of state at the Cabinet Office.
Lord Drayson and Bill Rammell took up roles at the Ministry of Defence and Dawn Primarolo was moved to the Department of Children, Schools and Families, replacing Beverley Hughes, who resigned last week.Lord Drayson and Bill Rammell took up roles at the Ministry of Defence and Dawn Primarolo was moved to the Department of Children, Schools and Families, replacing Beverley Hughes, who resigned last week.
HAVE YOUR SAYLet's hope that we are entering a new age; one in which Labour can be consigned to the dustbin of history.Barry, Deeping St. James Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYLet's hope that we are entering a new age; one in which Labour can be consigned to the dustbin of history.Barry, Deeping St. James Send us your comments
Meanwhile, Mr Byers told the meeting of the Progress thinktank that "now is the time for Gordon Brown to stand down" if Labour were to avoid a "humiliating defeat".Meanwhile, Mr Byers told the meeting of the Progress thinktank that "now is the time for Gordon Brown to stand down" if Labour were to avoid a "humiliating defeat".
Labour MP Sally Keeble also announced she was withdrawing her support for Mr Brown in a letter to her constituents in Northampton North.Labour MP Sally Keeble also announced she was withdrawing her support for Mr Brown in a letter to her constituents in Northampton North.
Later she told the BBC Mr Brown had not been able to "command authority" within government.Later she told the BBC Mr Brown had not been able to "command authority" within government.
Labour MP Frank Field, the leader of last year's 10p tax rebellion, accused Mr Brown's allies of trying to "terrorise" Labour MPs into sticking with him by the threat of an immediate general election.Labour MP Frank Field, the leader of last year's 10p tax rebellion, accused Mr Brown's allies of trying to "terrorise" Labour MPs into sticking with him by the threat of an immediate general election.
But influential Labour backbencher Jon Cruddas said it was "delusional" for critics of the prime minister to identify leadership instead of policy as the source of the party's problems.But influential Labour backbencher Jon Cruddas said it was "delusional" for critics of the prime minister to identify leadership instead of policy as the source of the party's problems.