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Clarke reignites leadership row Clarke reignites leadership row
(about 2 hours later)
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has accused Gordon Brown of "absolutely stupid" behaviour during the furore over Tony Blair's leadership.Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has accused Gordon Brown of "absolutely stupid" behaviour during the furore over Tony Blair's leadership.
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. People were angry at photos of Mr Brown smiling broadly amid the chaos, Mr Clarke told London's Evening Standard.
Mr Brown should have stopped the plots against Mr Blair and still had to prove he was fit to govern, Mr Clarke added. Mr Brown should have stopped the plots against Mr Blair and still had to prove he was fit to govern, argued Mr Clarke.
Minister Harriet Harman told critics to shut up or risk letting in the Tories. Brown supporting MP John McFall accused Mr Clarke of a "mixture of hubris and a plea for recognition".
And Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said people should now "settle down". And former minister Glenda Jackson said the party would be watching to see whether Mr Blair distanced himself from Mr Clarke's comments.
She told GMTV: "Charles Clarke's comments seem to prove what everybody has long feared - that there are people close to the prime minister who would prefer to see David Cameron as prime minister rather than Gordon Brown."
And minister Harriet Harman said: "It's time now for everybody to shut up and focus on what we're in government and we're in the Labour Party to do."
People around the UK give their views on the row over Tony Blair's resignation date.In picturesPeople around the UK give their views on the row over Tony Blair's resignation date.In pictures
"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.
Ms Kelly appealed for "a period of calm and reflection" following several days of open warfare among Labour MPs over when Tony Blair will step down.
Mr Brown ignored reporters' questions as he arrived to make a speech about Britishness in Edinburgh to kick off Labour's campaign for next May's Scottish elections.Mr Brown ignored reporters' questions as he arrived to make a speech about Britishness in Edinburgh to kick off Labour's campaign for next May's Scottish elections.
But any hopes Mr Blair's announcement on Thursday that he would quit within a year would end Labour's hostilities appear to have been shattered by Mr Clarke's intervention.But any hopes Mr Blair's announcement on Thursday that he would quit within a year would end Labour's hostilities appear to have been shattered by Mr Clarke's intervention.
The former home secretary said Mr Brown should have reined in the backbench rebels who sparked the latest leadership crisis by calling for the prime minister to quit immediately.The former home secretary said Mr Brown should have reined in the backbench rebels who sparked the latest leadership crisis by calling for the prime minister to quit immediately.
Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence Charles Clarke on Gordon Brown Analysis: Brown feels heat Leadership contenders Special report: Blair switchPart of the problem is that he lacks confidence Charles Clarke on Gordon Brown Analysis: Brown feels heat Leadership contenders Special report: Blair switch
"What he should have done was come out strongly and distance himself from them," he told the Evening Standard. "What he should have done was come out strongly and distance himself from them," Mr Clarke told the Evening Standard.
"He could have done that with a click of his fingers. This has been complete madness.""He could have done that with a click of his fingers. This has been complete madness."
Mr Brown met Tony Blair on Wednesday after a day of open warfare - and a string of resignations - over Mr Blair's refusal to name a departure date or stand aside. Mr Brown met Tony Blair on Wednesday after a string of government resignations.
The meeting prompted speculation about a deal between Mr Blair and Mr Brown over Mr Blair's exit from Number 10 - an impression reinforced, says Mr Clarke, by a picture of Mr Brown grinning as he drove away from Downing Street. It prompted speculation the pair had reached a handover deal when Mr Brown was pictured grinning as he drove away from Downing Street.
Mr Clarke said: "A lot of people are very upset and cross about that. It was absolutely stupid, a stupid, stupid thing to do."Mr Clarke said: "A lot of people are very upset and cross about that. It was absolutely stupid, a stupid, stupid thing to do."
Mr Clarke said Mr Brown must "prove his fitness" to be prime minister. He said Mr Brown must "prove his fitness" to be prime minister.
HAVE YOUR SAY Does anyone outside Westminster and the media really care about when Blair goes? Ron, Porthcawl  Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Does anyone outside Westminster and the media really care about when Blair goes? Ron, Porthcawl  Send us your comments
"Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence. He is nervous," he said."Part of the problem is that he lacks confidence. He is nervous," he said.
"That could all change when the burden of waiting for the job is lifted from his shoulders and I think it probably will. But the problem is, nobody really knows."That could all change when the burden of waiting for the job is lifted from 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."
'Private arrangements''Private arrangements'
Mr Clarke said ex-Health Secretary Alan Milburn, a close Blair ally who has suggested he might stand for the top job, was "leadership material".Mr Clarke said ex-Health Secretary Alan Milburn, a close Blair ally who has suggested he might stand for the top job, was "leadership material".
Clarke spells out the root of the anger felt about Gordon Brown BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Clarke spells out the root of the anger felt about Gordon Brown BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
Former minister Frank Field also said Mr Brown "could have stopped the near destruction of the government if he had wanted but didn't".Former minister Frank Field also said Mr Brown "could have stopped the near destruction of the government if he had wanted but didn't".
"His behaviour has not been the behaviour of a future prime minister," added Mr Field.
Mr Field argued a leadership contest was needed to "test" the chancellor and he suggested Cabinet ministers John Reid and Alan Johnson could be candidates.Mr Field argued a leadership contest was needed to "test" the chancellor and he suggested Cabinet ministers John Reid and Alan Johnson could be candidates.
This view was echoed former government whip Graham Stringer, who said it was "disrespectful to the electorate" for Mr Blair and Mr Brown to decide the future of the country in a "private conversation".This view was echoed former government whip Graham Stringer, who said it was "disrespectful to the electorate" for Mr Blair and Mr Brown to decide the future of the country in a "private conversation".
"I hope Alan Johnson and John Reid will throw their hat into the ring for the good of the party and for the good of the country," he told BBC News 24."I hope Alan Johnson and John Reid will throw their hat into the ring for the good of the party and for the good of the country," he told BBC News 24.
Pundits believe Mr Brown put pressure on Mr Blair to quit earlier than he wanted to when they met on Wednesday. The chancellor has insisted there are no "private arrangements" between himself and the prime minister and says it is to Mr Blair to decide when he goes.
But the chancellor has insisted there are no "private arrangements" between himself and the prime minister, saying it was for Mr Blair to decide when he goes.
Mr Brown used an article in the Sun newspaper to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.Mr Brown used an article in the Sun newspaper to praise Mr Blair's "courageous" leadership.