Brown won’t be toppled by plotters, says Straw

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The Justice Secretary spoke as it was claimed that up to 50 Labour MPs could be booted out of the party as a result of the expenses scandal.

Labour's new "star chamber" panel met secretly in London to discuss the fate of those backbenchers accused of misclaiming public money. In a bid to avoid the cameras, some witnesses appeared by videolink.

Speculation has mounted in recent weeks that a disastrous set of election results next week could spell discontent among Labour activists worried about the party being wiped out at the general election.

But Mr Straw rejected suggestions that Mr Brown would be toppled by a plot. "The Prime Minister is secure in his job. He's doing a very good job in what are very difficult circumstances. The Prime Minister is not going to be ousted," Mr Straw said.

He also said that the party would balance "speed with fairness" when it doled out justice to MPs accused of wrongdoing over expenses.

Margaret Moran, Elliot Morley or Ian Gibson will have their cases examined by a three-strong group of members of the ruling NEC.

The case of a fourth MP, David Chaytor, will be considered by the panel at a later date.

Today, GMB chief Paul Kenny, a member of the NEC, said that up to 20 per cent of the party's MPs could be kicked out. Mr Kenny told BBC Radio 4's World at One that Cabinet ministers could also be called before the panel.

Mr Straw refused to give his backing to Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, who has paid back capital gains tax on profits on a second home. "The future of any Cabinet minister is a matter for the prime minister of the day," he said.