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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Plot is 'storm in teacup' - Brown | |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has dismissed the attempted challenge to his leadership as a "storm in a teacup". | |
| The prime minister told BBC Radio Solent he was "leading from the front" and would say "what I think" even if at times it proves to be very unpopular. | |
| Earlier his spokesman said Mr Brown had the full support of the cabinet. | |
| On Wednesday ex-ministers Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon wrote to all Labour MPs asking them to support a call for a secret ballot on Mr Brown. | |
| Earlier, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the attempted coup had "sunk" and predicted it would unite the party. | Earlier, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the attempted coup had "sunk" and predicted it would unite the party. |
| But Conservative leader David Cameron said the plot showed Mr Brown's government was "deeply divided". | But Conservative leader David Cameron said the plot showed Mr Brown's government was "deeply divided". |
| Speaking outside his home on Thursday, Mr Straw said he had been "astonished" to learn of the bid by Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon on Wednesday. | Speaking outside his home on Thursday, Mr Straw said he had been "astonished" to learn of the bid by Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon on Wednesday. |
| "No-one had asked any advice as far as I know from any members of the cabinet about this. Had we been asked I think our advice would have been unanimous." | "No-one had asked any advice as far as I know from any members of the cabinet about this. Had we been asked I think our advice would have been unanimous." |
| 'Very ill-advised' | 'Very ill-advised' |
| Mr Straw, who ran Mr Brown's Labour leadership bid when he succeeded Tony Blair in 2007, added: "It is certainly the case that this extraordinary announcement yesterday by Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt has sunk and it's completely ill-judged and very ill-advised and all of us made that clear yesterday." | Mr Straw, who ran Mr Brown's Labour leadership bid when he succeeded Tony Blair in 2007, added: "It is certainly the case that this extraordinary announcement yesterday by Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt has sunk and it's completely ill-judged and very ill-advised and all of us made that clear yesterday." |
| He said he did not believe the party was still divided over Mr Brown, adding: "I actually think it will have the effect of bringing people behind his leadership even more." | |
| We've got an election to fight, Gordon is leading us into it, we're determined to win it under his leadership and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it David Miliband PM in deep trouble, says Cameron | We've got an election to fight, Gordon is leading us into it, we're determined to win it under his leadership and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it David Miliband PM in deep trouble, says Cameron |
| Mr Straw admitted the story was "something we could easily have done without" and said the party needed to concentrate on making the case for Labour at the next general election - due by June. | Mr Straw admitted the story was "something we could easily have done without" and said the party needed to concentrate on making the case for Labour at the next general election - due by June. |
| The BBC understands that those involved in organising the call for a ballot on Wednesday had believed that up to six cabinet ministers might back them in the "right circumstances". | The BBC understands that those involved in organising the call for a ballot on Wednesday had believed that up to six cabinet ministers might back them in the "right circumstances". |
| The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said sources had named Mr Straw as one of the six - although he stressed there was no suggestion or evidence that any of those named was involved in planning the coup attempt and all had issued statements criticising it. | The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said sources had named Mr Straw as one of the six - although he stressed there was no suggestion or evidence that any of those named was involved in planning the coup attempt and all had issued statements criticising it. |
| Mr Straw said he was angry that the claim had not been put to him before it was broadcast. | Mr Straw said he was angry that the claim had not been put to him before it was broadcast. |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband - whose statement of support came more than six hours after the coup attempt was launched and was widely seen as lukewarm - said it was "not right" to suggest that he had supported the bid. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband - whose statement of support came more than six hours after the coup attempt was launched and was widely seen as lukewarm - said it was "not right" to suggest that he had supported the bid. |
| He added: "I spent yesterday like other members of the government on the business of government, today we're getting on with the business of government. | He added: "I spent yesterday like other members of the government on the business of government, today we're getting on with the business of government. |
| "We've got an election to fight, Gordon is leading us into it, we're determined to win it under his leadership and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it." | "We've got an election to fight, Gordon is leading us into it, we're determined to win it under his leadership and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it." |
| Asked about claims he did not wholeheartedly support Mr Brown, he said: "No member of the government was involved in yesterday's letter, we're all determined to win the election under Gordon's leadership for the good of the country. I think it's very clear and we are all determined to see it through." | Asked about claims he did not wholeheartedly support Mr Brown, he said: "No member of the government was involved in yesterday's letter, we're all determined to win the election under Gordon's leadership for the good of the country. I think it's very clear and we are all determined to see it through." |