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Blears survives confidence motion | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has survived an attempt to force her deselection at a meeting of her constituency party in Salford. | |
Some party members criticised her for quitting the government on the eve of local elections this month and undermining the chances of candidates. | |
Her expenses claims have also come under intense scrutiny. | Her expenses claims have also come under intense scrutiny. |
A group of about 30 protesters gathered outside Salford Civic Centre with placards calling for her to go. | A group of about 30 protesters gathered outside Salford Civic Centre with placards calling for her to go. |
Expected to survive | Expected to survive |
Some of the protesters chanted "Hazel out, Hazel out". Around four police officers watched the demonstration. | Some of the protesters chanted "Hazel out, Hazel out". Around four police officers watched the demonstration. |
Organiser Stephen Kingston, 50, said: "I was collecting signatures in Salford precinct earlier today. In the space of an hour-and-a-half we had 250 signatures backing the call that she must go. | Organiser Stephen Kingston, 50, said: "I was collecting signatures in Salford precinct earlier today. In the space of an hour-and-a-half we had 250 signatures backing the call that she must go. |
"The feelings of people are absolutely phenomenal. If she is not deselected tonight I think this campaign will go on." | "The feelings of people are absolutely phenomenal. If she is not deselected tonight I think this campaign will go on." |
Steve Kingston said Hazel Blears had little local support | Steve Kingston said Hazel Blears had little local support |
Ms Blears has said she regrets the timing of her resignation and earlier criticism of Gordon Brown's performance. | Ms Blears has said she regrets the timing of her resignation and earlier criticism of Gordon Brown's performance. |
Despite the calls for her to step down as an MP at the next election, Ms Blears was expected to survive the vote. | |
Around 100 people had been expected to attend the meeting, but only 44 of them - delegates from the wards and unions - were able to vote. | |
She repaid £13,000 after it emerged she had not paid capital gains tax on the sale of a property. | She repaid £13,000 after it emerged she had not paid capital gains tax on the sale of a property. |
Although her actions were within the rules, they were described as "totally unacceptable" by the prime minister. | Although her actions were within the rules, they were described as "totally unacceptable" by the prime minister. |