This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/5326064.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Clarke reignites leadership row Clarke reignites leadership row
(30 minutes later)
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of "absolutely stupid" behaviour during the Blair leadership furore.Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of "absolutely stupid" behaviour during the Blair leadership furore.
Mr Clarke told London's Evening Standard newspaper people were angry at pictures of Mr Brown smiling broadly as he left Downing Street on Wednesday.Mr Clarke told London's Evening Standard newspaper people were angry at pictures of Mr Brown smiling broadly as he left Downing Street on Wednesday.
He said Mr Brown could easily have stopped plotting against Tony Blair and questioned his fitness to lead Labour.He said Mr Brown could easily have stopped plotting against Tony Blair and questioned his fitness to lead Labour.
But Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said Mr Clarke was "just wrong". Minister Harriet Harman told critics to shut up or risk letting in the Tories.
And Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said people should now "settle down".
"People are entitled to their views but I don't think Charles' views represent the vast majority of my colleagues," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."People are entitled to their views but I don't think Charles' views represent the vast majority of my colleagues," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Ms Kelly appealed for "a period of calm and reflection" following several days of open warfare among Labour MPs over when Tony Blair will step down.Ms Kelly appealed for "a period of calm and reflection" following several days of open warfare among Labour MPs over when Tony Blair will step down.
But any hopes Mr Blair's announcement on Thursday that he would quit within a year would end hostilities appear to have been shattered by Mr Clarke's intervention.But any hopes Mr Blair's announcement on Thursday that he would quit within a year would end hostilities appear to have been shattered by Mr Clarke's intervention.
Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence Charles Clarke on Gordon Brown In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statement Special report: Blair successionPart of the problem is that he lacks confidence Charles Clarke on Gordon Brown In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statement Special report: Blair succession
The former home secretary accused Mr Brown of supporting a plot to force Mr Blair out of office. The former home secretary said Mr Brown should have reined in the backbench rebels who sparked the leadership crisis by calling for the prime minister to quit immediately.
He said the chancellor should have reined in the backbench rebels who sparked the leadership crisis by calling for the prime minister to quit immediately. "What he should have done was come out strongly and distance himself from them," he told the Evening Standard.
"What he should have done was come out strongly and distance himself from them. He could have done that with a click of his fingers. This has been complete madness," Mr Clarke told the Evening Standard. "He could have done that with a click of his fingers. This has been complete madness."
Mr Brown met Tony Blair on Wednesday after a day of open warfare - and a string of resignations - over Mr Blair's refusal to name a departure date or stand aside.Mr Brown met Tony Blair on Wednesday after a day of open warfare - and a string of resignations - over Mr Blair's refusal to name a departure date or stand aside.
The meeting prompted speculation about a deal between Mr Blair and Mr Brown over Mr Blair's exit from Number 10 - an impression reinforced, says Mr Clarke, by a picture of Mr Brown grinning as he drove away from Downing Street.The meeting prompted speculation about a deal between Mr Blair and Mr Brown over Mr Blair's exit from Number 10 - an impression reinforced, says Mr Clarke, by a picture of Mr Brown grinning as he drove away from Downing Street.
Mr Clarke told the Evening Standard: "A lot of people are very upset and cross about that. It was absolutely stupid, a stupid, stupid thing to do." Mr Clarke said: "A lot of people are very upset and cross about that. It was absolutely stupid, a stupid, stupid thing to do."
Mr Clarke said Mr Brown must "prove his fitness" to be prime minister.Mr Clarke said Mr Brown must "prove his fitness" to be prime minister.
"Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence. He is nervous. That could all change when the burden of waiting for the job is lifted form his shoulders and I think it probably will. But the problem is, nobody really knows. "Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence. He is nervous," he said.
"That could all change when the burden of waiting for the job is lifted form his shoulders and I think it probably will. But the problem is, nobody really knows.
"He is not where he should be at the moment. He is talented and brilliant but there are these little incidences like the grin in the car that build up a terrible picture.""He is not where he should be at the moment. He is talented and brilliant but there are these little incidences like the grin in the car that build up a terrible picture."
'Private arrangements''Private arrangements'
He said many in the Labour Party had concerns about a Brown premiership and needed to be reassured. Ex-Health Secretary Alan Milburn was "leadership material", he added. Mr Clarke said many in the Labour Party had concerns about a Brown premiership and needed to be reassured.
Ex-Health Secretary Alan Milburn, a close Blair ally who has suggested he might stand for the top job, was "leadership material", he added.
Pundits believe Mr Brown put pressure on Mr Blair to quit earlier than he wanted to when they met on Wednesday.Pundits believe Mr Brown put pressure on Mr Blair to quit earlier than he wanted to when they met on Wednesday.
But the chancellor insisted there were no "private arrangements" between himself and the prime minister over a departure date, telling reporters on Thursday it was for Mr Blair to decide when he goes.But the chancellor insisted there were no "private arrangements" between himself and the prime minister over a departure date, telling reporters on Thursday it was for Mr Blair to decide when he goes.
Mr Brown, who is making a speech on Britishness in Edinburgh later, used an article in the Sun newspaper to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.Mr Brown, who is making a speech on Britishness in Edinburgh later, used an article in the Sun newspaper to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.