Hi °C | Lo °C Gordon Brown today launched a fight back against accusations he was plotting
to overthrow Tony Blair.
He denied he was behind a confidential letter from Labour MPs urging Prime
Minister to stand down and threw down the gauntlet to other Labour leadership
rivals.
In an interview with Andrew Marr for the BBC's Sunday AM programme the
Chancellor said he had heard rumours but ``not seen any letters''.
He went on: ``There were rumours of course about all sorts of things happening
during the course of that week.
``If anybody had asked me about the contents of that letter I would have said
it was completely ill-advised.
``And the reason is this. Some people want to tell Tony Blair when he should
finally make the decision that he has said he will make about when he wishes to
go.
``I've always said to Tony - and I think this should be clear, and it was made
clear on many occasions when I've talked to Tony - the decision is for him, it
should be for him.
``I will support him in the decision he makes, I know he will make it in the
interests of the party but also, most importantly in the interests of the
country.''
Mr Brown also insisted he would ``welcome'' other MPs standing against him in
the Labour leadership election after Mr Blair stands down.
He said: ``They should be free to put both their views forward and to stand if
that is what they want to do.
``I think it's good for the party if there's an election. I've got no
difficulty and certainly there's no personal issues about other people
standing.''
