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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blair 'will not quit yet as MP' | Blair 'will not quit yet as MP' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Downing Street has denied a report that Tony Blair will reveal next week that he is resigning as an MP. | Downing Street has denied a report that Tony Blair will reveal next week that he is resigning as an MP. |
| The Press Association said it had learned Mr Blair was planning make the announcement on 11 May, a day after he gives a date for leaving Number 10. | The Press Association said it had learned Mr Blair was planning make the announcement on 11 May, a day after he gives a date for leaving Number 10. |
| But a Downing Street spokesman said "the only statement the prime minister will make next week will concern his future as Labour Party leader". | But a Downing Street spokesman said "the only statement the prime minister will make next week will concern his future as Labour Party leader". |
| There has been much speculation about how long he will remain a backbencher. | There has been much speculation about how long he will remain a backbencher. |
| 'Not heard' | 'Not heard' |
| BBC political editor Nick Robinson said his sources had not denied that Mr Blair was likely to stand down as an MP before the next general election. | BBC political editor Nick Robinson said his sources had not denied that Mr Blair was likely to stand down as an MP before the next general election. |
| PA reported that the prime minister would travel to his Sedgefield constituency on 11 May to make the announcement that he was quitting Parliament, triggering a by-election. | PA reported that the prime minister would travel to his Sedgefield constituency on 11 May to make the announcement that he was quitting Parliament, triggering a by-election. |
| But Mr Blair's election agent, John Burton, told the BBC he had not heard anything to this effect. | But Mr Blair's election agent, John Burton, told the BBC he had not heard anything to this effect. |
| Recent reports suggested the prime minister would stand down before the next general election, possibly at this autumn at Labour's annual conference. | Recent reports suggested the prime minister would stand down before the next general election, possibly at this autumn at Labour's annual conference. |
| Mr Blair has already announced his intention to stand down as prime minister but he has yet to set a date. | Mr Blair has already announced his intention to stand down as prime minister but he has yet to set a date. |
| On Tuesday he said he would make an announcement about his future next week. | On Tuesday he said he would make an announcement about his future next week. |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown is the favourite to succeed Mr Blair. | Chancellor Gordon Brown is the favourite to succeed Mr Blair. |
| So far, only left-wing backbenchers John McDonnell and Michael Meacher have announced they will stand in any contest to become Labour leader. | |
| It is thought unlikely either will reach the required 45 MPs needed to compete and that one will have to step aside. | |
| Sources close to Mr Meacher, a former environment minister, told the BBC there would be a meeting next week to decide whether he or Mr McDonnell MP would run. |