Gordon 'would welcome Miliband challenge'

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In a show of confidence, they said Mr Brown would welcome a heavyweight challenger.

The gauntlet was thrown down after a weekend of growing speculation and rumour about Mr Miliband's intentions.

"We are keen for there to be a contest," said a Brown camp insider, who said the Chancellor had been unfairly characterised as hoping for an unopposed "coronation".

"We increasingly feel a contest would be good for the party and the country, though the focus for now must be the elections. And when we see these stories that David Miliband is considering his position, we just think 'let's not shilly-shally, stand!'."

One of Tony Blair's former No 10 officials today predicts that a Miliband leadership campaign will happen.

Writing in the Standard, former deputy press secretary Lance Price says: "He will be seen to be more in tune with the times than Gordon Brown."

Mr Price said Mr Miliband was not dithering but "actually positioning himself very skilfully". "You don't often get second chances in politics and those who wait for the ideal moment before deciding to act usually find themselves waiting for ever."