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Cabinet meets after ballot plot Leadership plot over, admits Hoon
(about 2 hours later)
The cabinet has met for the first time since two former ministers attempted to force a ballot on Gordon Brown's future as Labour leader. Former minister Geoff Hoon has admitted his push for a secret ballot on Gordon Brown's leadership "is over".
He has dismissed Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon's actions as a "storm in a teacup", but there has been speculation about his colleagues' support for him. But he told the BBC he did not regret sending a letter to all Labour MPs calling for a vote on the issue.
The cabinet meeting had been due to take place in Exeter on Tuesday. No government minister voiced support for the ballot, proposed by former defence secretary Mr Hoon and former health secretary Patricia Hewitt.
But bad weather meant it had to be delayed and took place in Downing Street, as normal. Mr Brown has called it a "storm in a teacup", despite speculation about his level of support among colleagues.
On Wednesday Mr Hoon, the former chief whip and defence secretary, and Ms Hewitt, the former health secretary, wrote to Labour MPs and peers suggesting a secret ballot on the Labour leadership. The cabinet met on Friday for the first time since the letter - calling for a secret MPs' ballot on the Labour Party leadership - was sent out on Wednesday.
Hoon meeting 'Pertinent questions'
However, no current minister offered their backing and the plan appeared to come to nothing. Mr Brown's spokesman said he had made no reference to it during the 90-minute session.
Some cabinet members were accused of responding too slowly and issuing only lukewarm expressions of support for the prime minister in the immediate aftermath. Afterwards Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said ministers had to focus on setting out what "we can do for the country, not just for the next year but the next 10 years".
Foreign Secretary David Miliband, seen by many as a potential successor, responded almost seven hours after news of the call for a leadership ballot broke. Mr Hoon faces a meeting of Labour members in his constituency of Ashford, Nottinghamshire, later.
The cabinet meeting was postponed when a tour of south-west England by cabinet members had to be cancelled because of the weather.
Mr Hoon is facing Labour Party bosses in his constituency of Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, over the bid to force a secret ballot of Labour MPs and peers on Mr Brown's leadership.
John Knight, the leader of Ashfield District Council, said activists were "shocked and disappointed" at his involvement and keen to pose "pertinent questions".John Knight, the leader of Ashfield District Council, said activists were "shocked and disappointed" at his involvement and keen to pose "pertinent questions".
Ms Hewitt is standing down as an MP at the next general election. I think it's probably over. I accept that we made that opportunity and we don't appear to have succeeded Geoff Hoon
Mr Hoon told the BBC that Labour "thrives on political debate" adding: "He's entitled to his view and I'm entitled to mine."
Asked why he had sent out the letter, he replied: "I think it is critical that the Labour Party goes into the general election with a very clear view of what we stand for and that that message can get across.
"And too often in recent months that message has been lost in all the noise about the leadership...
"Our aim was simply to resolve this matter once and for all."
On the campaign for a ballot, Mr Hoon said: "I think it's probably over. I accept that we made that opportunity and we don't appear to have succeeded... We set it out and it's really for them [Labour MPs] to decide."
Some MPs described the letter as "cowardly" and "unconstitutional" under Labour's leadership selection rules.
Mr Hoon said: "I'm not quite sure why this matter is such a dramatic issue... If they think he [Mr Brown] has this support, what are they afraid of?"
Some cabinet members were accused of responding too slowly following the letter being sent out and issuing only lukewarm expressions of support for the prime minister in the immediate aftermath.
Mr Hoon said he still planned to stand as a candidate at the next election, while Ms Hewitt is standing down.