Blairite Hutton's aide 'will quit after conference'

Falkirk MP Eric Joyce is understood to have made up his mind to step down after the Labour conference in Manchester. Rebel MPs say he is reluctant to go any sooner because he feels Gordon Brown should be allowed to have his say next week without distractions. However, they stressed that there was nothing the Prime Minister could say that would prevent the Parliamentary Private Secretary's resignation.

Mr Joyce's departure will be particularly damaging as he is a close ally of Cabinet minister Mr Hutton, a leading Blairite. It will again bring into question Mr Hutton's loyalty, days after he refused to criticise rebel MPs' calls for a leadership election.

It is also another blow for Mr Brown in his own backyard after Scotland Office minister David Cairns stood down yesterday.

An MP close to Mr Joyce said: "It's just a question of timing really. I don't think there's anything that would make him change his mind. He just doesn't think Gordon will pull the rabbit out of the hat."

The Standard understands that a "substantial" number of Labour MPs - including more ministerial aides - are waiting until after the conference to speak out.

Several are expected to hold off until after the Glenrothes byelection at the start of November even though the party is widely expected to lose.