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/8526180.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brown - I have never hit anyone Brown - I have never hit anyone
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown has denied claims in a new book that he once hit a Downing Street adviser and swore at other members of his staff. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has denied claims in a new book that he once hit a Downing Street adviser and swore at other members of his staff.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, Mr Brown was asked to respond to reports he was prone to outbursts of rage.In an interview with Channel 4 News, Mr Brown was asked to respond to reports he was prone to outbursts of rage.
He said sometimes things were said "in the heat of the moment", but added: "I have never hit anyone in my life."He said sometimes things were said "in the heat of the moment", but added: "I have never hit anyone in my life."
The interview came as Labour unveiled its election campaign themes under the slogan "a future fair for all".The interview came as Labour unveiled its election campaign themes under the slogan "a future fair for all".
On Sunday, the Observer is to serialise extracts from a new book by its chief political commentator Andrew Rawnsley.On Sunday, the Observer is to serialise extracts from a new book by its chief political commentator Andrew Rawnsley.
People who vote at an election have got a right to know who they are voting for Gordon BrownPeople who vote at an election have got a right to know who they are voting for Gordon Brown
Mr Brown, interviewed by Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy after giving his speech at Warwick University, was invited to respond to the reports including claims he had thrown objects.Mr Brown, interviewed by Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy after giving his speech at Warwick University, was invited to respond to the reports including claims he had thrown objects.
The prime minister said: "If I get angry, I get angry with myself... I throw the newspapers on the floor or something like that, but please."The prime minister said: "If I get angry, I get angry with myself... I throw the newspapers on the floor or something like that, but please."
Pressed on whether he had every hit anyone, Mr Brown said: "Let me just say, absolutely clearly, so that there is no misunderstanding about that: I have never, never hit anybody in my life."Pressed on whether he had every hit anyone, Mr Brown said: "Let me just say, absolutely clearly, so that there is no misunderstanding about that: I have never, never hit anybody in my life."
'Completely untrue''Completely untrue'
Mr Brown said: "Every morning I get up with a determination to do my best for this country.Mr Brown said: "Every morning I get up with a determination to do my best for this country.
The event resembled a Jerry Springer-style chat show; with an invited audience of "real people" and a few audience "plants" - in this case cabinet members Iain WatsonBBC political correspondent Iain Watson's analysis The event resembled a Jerry Springer-style chat show; with an invited audience of "real people" and a few audience "plants" - in this case cabinet members Iain WatsonBBC political correspondent Iain Watson's analysis
"Any allegations that have been made about hitting people or anything are completely untrue.""Any allegations that have been made about hitting people or anything are completely untrue."
Mr Brown said he did not regret the candid TV interview with Piers Morgan earlier in the month.Mr Brown said he did not regret the candid TV interview with Piers Morgan earlier in the month.
"People who vote at an election have got a right to know who they are voting for, what they think, what lies behind the views they take, what are they about"."People who vote at an election have got a right to know who they are voting for, what they think, what lies behind the views they take, what are they about".
In his speech before party activists, Mr Brown urged voters to take "a second look" at Labour.In his speech before party activists, Mr Brown urged voters to take "a second look" at Labour.
He said Labour would be "change makers" who stand up for "the many not the few" and pledged to address issues such as the economy and protect "frontline services".He said Labour would be "change makers" who stand up for "the many not the few" and pledged to address issues such as the economy and protect "frontline services".
Conservative leader David Cameron said the description of Labour as a party of fairness for all was "simply untrue" as it had "badly damaged" the UK.Conservative leader David Cameron said the description of Labour as a party of fairness for all was "simply untrue" as it had "badly damaged" the UK.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it was a "gratuitous insult for him now to claim the Labour Party cares about fairness when it has so spectacularly failed to deliver it".Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it was a "gratuitous insult for him now to claim the Labour Party cares about fairness when it has so spectacularly failed to deliver it".