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Media spotlight turns on Brown Chancellor gives support to Blair
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has embarked on a visit to Scotland as the prime minister prepares to announce when he will stand down. Gordon Brown has said he will support the prime minister in whatever decision he makes over his future.
Downing Street has confirmed that Tony Blair will make a statement on his future between 1400 BST and 1500 BST. 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, viewed as the likely successor to Mr Blair, has been scheduled to travel to Edinburgh for a private meeting with Labour MSPs. Mr Brown said it was for Mr Blair to decide when to step aside and said 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.
If it's May 31, that I have to say would be totally unacceptable to the Scottish party Jim DevineLabour MP Scottish fears over Blair crisisIf it's May 31, that I have to say would be totally unacceptable to the Scottish party Jim DevineLabour MP 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.
"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.
"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.
With Scottish Parliament elections taking place next May, at least one Scottish MP has voiced concern about the continued uncertainty over Mr Blair's intentions and at reported plans he is to quit on 31 May.With Scottish Parliament elections taking place next May, at least one Scottish MP has voiced concern about the continued uncertainty over Mr Blair's intentions and at reported plans he is to quit on 31 May.
Jim Devine, Labour MP for Livingston, said: "If it's May 31, that I have to say would be totally unacceptable to the Scottish party."Jim Devine, Labour MP for Livingston, said: "If it's May 31, that I have to say would be totally unacceptable to the Scottish party."
Step back
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."
Exit call
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.
He 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."He 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."
The MP for East Renfrewshire added: "The way this is going to play out is that the prime minister may say that a year is about the time that he envisages to stay in Downing Street, he'll say no more than that.
There's a small number who wish to see the prime minister, not leaving Downing Street in an orderly transition, but bundled out the back door immediately Jim MurphyPensions MinisterThere's a small number who wish to see the prime minister, not leaving Downing Street in an orderly transition, but bundled out the back door immediately Jim MurphyPensions Minister
The MP for East Renfrewshire added: "The way this is going to play out is that the prime minister may say that a year is about the time that he envisages to stay in Downing Street, he'll say no more than that.
"My concern has always been that if he named a year, some people would wish to know which month, my worry is that if he says which month, some people will say which week and if he says which week, some people will say which day."My concern has always been that if he named a year, some people would wish to know which month, my worry is that if he says which month, some people will say which week and if he says which week, some people will say which day.
"What we have to do, all of us as members of parliament, is accept that there's a small number who wish to see the prime minister, not leaving Downing Street in an orderly transition, but bundled out the back door immediately.""What we have to do, all of us as members of parliament, is accept that there's a small number who wish to see the prime minister, not leaving Downing Street in an orderly transition, but bundled out the back door immediately."
The chancellor's Scottish visit was beginning in Glasgow, where he was due to be joined by former Olympic gold medallist Sir Steven Redgrave at an event to mark the opening of the UK Schools Games.
Later Mr Brown was travelling to Edinburgh to meet Labour MSPs before attending a private banking reception.
The prime minister showed no signs the speculation was concerning himThe prime minister showed no signs the speculation was concerning him
The Scottish National Party taunted First Minister Jack McConnell over the visit at Holyrood on Wednesday.The Scottish National Party taunted First Minister Jack McConnell over the visit at Holyrood on Wednesday.
Mr McConnell is thought to have closer ties to Mr Blair than to Mr Brown.Mr McConnell is thought to have closer ties to Mr Blair than to Mr Brown.
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.