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Chancellor gives support to Blair | Chancellor gives support to Blair |
(20 minutes later) | |
Gordon Brown has said he will support the prime minister in whatever decision he makes over his future. | Gordon Brown has said he will support the prime minister in whatever decision he makes over his future. |
The chancellor was speaking on a visit to Glasgow as Tony Blair prepared to make a statement on when he will stand down as leader. | The chancellor was speaking on a visit to Glasgow as Tony Blair prepared to make a statement on when he will stand down as leader. |
Mr Brown said it was for Mr Blair to decide when to step aside and stressed that he would support his decision. | |
Mr Blair's move comes after a number of government resignations and claims of an attempted coup by the chancellor. | Mr Blair's move comes after a number of government resignations and claims of an attempted coup by the chancellor. |
Mr Blair and Mr Brown were said to have to have had an "acrimonious meeting" on Wednesday over Labour's future. | Mr Blair and Mr Brown were said to have to have had an "acrimonious meeting" on Wednesday over Labour's future. |
This cannot and should not be about private arrangements but what is in the best interests of our party and, most of all, the best interests of our country Gordon Brown Scottish fears over Blair crisis | |
Speaking at an event to mark the opening of the UK Schools Games in Glasgow on Thursday, Mr Brown said that he, like other people, had questions about what was ahead. | Speaking at an event to mark the opening of the UK Schools Games in Glasgow on Thursday, Mr Brown said that he, like other people, had questions about what was ahead. |
"I want to make it absolutely clear today that when I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him, as I have said on many occasions to him and I repeat today, that it is for him to make the decision," said Mr Brown. | "I want to make it absolutely clear today that when I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him, as I have said on many occasions to him and I repeat today, that it is for him to make the decision," said Mr Brown. |
"I said also to him, and I make clear again today, that I will support him in the decisions he makes. | "I said also to him, and I make clear again today, that I will support him in the decisions he makes. |
"This cannot and should not be about private arrangements but what is in the best interests of our party and, most of all, the best interests of our country." | "This cannot and should not be about private arrangements but what is in the best interests of our party and, most of all, the best interests of our country." |
Mr Brown, who is viewed as the likely successor to Mr Blair, is due to meet Labour MSPs in Edinburgh later. | Mr Brown, who is viewed as the likely successor to Mr Blair, is due to meet Labour MSPs in Edinburgh later. |
'Civil war' | |
The subject of the prime minister's future sparked exchanges at first minister's questions in the Scottish Parliament. | |
The Scottish National Party's Holyrood leader, Nicola Sturgeon, asked Jack McConnell to give his view on the "civil war" engulfing Labour. | |
"As first minister of Scotland, does he think that Tony Blair should stay as prime minister for another year, or should he go?" she asked. | |
The prime minister showed no signs the speculation was concerning him | |
In response, Mr McConnell said Mr Blair was the most successful Labour prime minister and Mr Brown the most successful Labour chancellor. | |
"I am very proud of both of them," said the first minister. | |
With Scottish Parliament elections taking place next May, the Labour MP for Livingston, Jim Devine, said a departure date of 31 May would be "totally unacceptable" to the Scottish party. | |
He added: "The thought that we are going to be running an election campaign for the Scottish Parliament between April and May with this type of speculation running, accompanied by a Frank Sinatra-type farewell tour, just will not wash." | He added: "The thought that we are going to be running an election campaign for the Scottish Parliament between April and May with this type of speculation running, accompanied by a Frank Sinatra-type farewell tour, just will not wash." |
Pensions Minister Jim Murphy claimed disquiet within the party was limited to only a handful of MPs. | Pensions Minister Jim Murphy claimed disquiet within the party was limited to only a handful of MPs. |
Signed letter | |
The MP for East Renfrewshire told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The Labour Party collectively, and certainly those most involved in this, have to take a step back." | |
Four Scottish MPs were among the 15 Labour MPs who signed a letter urging Mr Blair to stand down this week. | Four Scottish MPs were among the 15 Labour MPs who signed a letter urging Mr Blair to stand down this week. |
They were Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North), Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith), Anne MacKechin (Glasgow North) and David Hamilton (Midlothian). | They were Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North), Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith), Anne MacKechin (Glasgow North) and David Hamilton (Midlothian). |
Another Scottish MP, Tom Harris (Glasgow South) became transport minister after the resignation of junior government members. | Another Scottish MP, Tom Harris (Glasgow South) became transport minister after the resignation of junior government members. |