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Clarke reignites leadership row Clarke reignites leadership row
(20 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 should have stopped plotting against Mr Blair with "a click of his fingers".He said Mr Brown should have stopped plotting against Mr Blair with "a click of his fingers".
His comments came as ministers and MPs urged for calm after the days of chaos. Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said Mr Clarke was "just wrong".
Tony Blair crowned 48 hours of furious speculation on Thursday by confirming that he will step down as prime minister within the next 12 months. "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.
But he stopped short of giving a precise timetable and pundits are predicting more instability to come. The row came as ministers and MPs urged for calm after days of turmoil over Tony Blair's future.
On Thursday, Mr Blair moved to end debate over his future by announcing he would be gone within a year.
When I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him - as I've said on many occasions and I repeat today - it is for him to make the decision Gordon Brown Analysis: Blair's final gamble In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statementWhen I met the prime minister yesterday, I said to him - as I've said on many occasions and I repeat today - it is for him to make the decision Gordon Brown Analysis: Blair's final gamble In full: Blair statement In full: Brown statement
Mr Blair met his chancellor on Wednesday, prompting speculation about a deal about his exit from No 10. He met Mr Brown on Wednesday morning, prompting speculation about a deal over his exit from No 10.
After the meeting, Mr Brown was photographed smiling as he drove away from Downing Street after a day of open Labour warfare which saw a string of government resignations.After the meeting, Mr Brown was photographed smiling as he drove away from Downing Street after a day of open Labour warfare which saw a string of government resignations.
"A lot of people are very upset and cross about that," Mr Clarke. "It was absolutely stupid: a stupid, stupid thing to do." But in a stinging attack on his former Cabinet colleague, Mr Clarke told the Evening Standard: "A lot of people are very upset and cross about that.
The ex-minister said Mr Brown must "prove his fitness" to be prime minister. "It was absolutely stupid: a stupid, stupid thing to do."
He said: "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. 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.
"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."
Mr Clarke said many in the Labour Party had concerns about a Brown premiership and needed to be reassured.
KEY LABOUR DATES 25-26 Sept: Mr Blair and Mr Brown make speeches at the Labour Party conference in Manchester15 Nov: State opening of Parliament including the Queen's speech outlining the government's agenda2 May 2007: Tenth anniversary of Mr Blair's election as prime minister3 May 2007: Elections for Scottish and Welsh assemblies, and most local authorities in EnglandKEY LABOUR DATES 25-26 Sept: Mr Blair and Mr Brown make speeches at the Labour Party conference in Manchester15 Nov: State opening of Parliament including the Queen's speech outlining the government's agenda2 May 2007: Tenth anniversary of Mr Blair's election as prime minister3 May 2007: Elections for Scottish and Welsh assemblies, and most local authorities in England
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly immediately hit back, saying Mr Clarke was "just wrong". 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.
She hoped the furore in the Labour Party would now "settle down".
Earlier, key Blair ally and architect of New Labour, Peter Mandelson, said the party had had "its moment of madness" and now must move on.Earlier, key Blair ally and architect of New Labour, Peter Mandelson, said the party had had "its moment of madness" and now must move on.
Mr Brown used an article in the Sun to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership. Mr Brown used an article in the Sun newspaper to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.
The prime minister said the Labour conference in two weeks' time would be his last as Labour leader and apologised for Labour's conduct in recent days, admitting it "has not been our finest hour, to be frank".The prime minister said the Labour conference in two weeks' time would be his last as Labour leader and apologised for Labour's conduct in recent days, admitting it "has not been our finest hour, to be frank".
I think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on Peter Mandelson Political reaction Special report: Blair succession
Mr Blair's allies have suggested he will announce a timetable early in the New Year and hand over power in May.Mr Blair's allies have suggested he will announce a timetable early in the New Year and hand over power in May.
But Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer said he did not think Mr Blair's statement "took us any further forward".But Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer said he did not think Mr Blair's statement "took us any further forward".
I think that Labour has had its moment of madness this week and I hope it will now move on Peter Mandelson Political reaction Special report: Blair succession
Mr Blair warned: "It's the public that comes first and it's the country that matters, and we can't treat the public as irrelevant bystanders in a subject as important as who is their prime minister."Mr Blair warned: "It's the public that comes first and it's the country that matters, and we can't treat the public as irrelevant bystanders in a subject as important as who is their prime minister."
Mr Blair has been under pressure to quit earlier than May in order to get a new leader in place before the elections in England, Scotland and Wales - which are expected to be disastrous for Labour.Mr Blair has been under pressure to quit earlier than May in order to get a new leader in place before the elections in England, Scotland and Wales - which are expected to be disastrous for Labour.