Blears resigns as PM faces pressure

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Ms Blears announced her resignation in a statement just two hours ahead of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, saying she wanted to "return to the grassroots (where I began), to political activism, to the cut and thrust of political debate".

Her statement - which came hot on the heels of Tuesday's announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that she would quit in the reshuffle expected within days - was notable for the absence of any expression of support for the Prime Minister or gratitude for having served under him.

Tories said that the timing of the announcement, just 24 hours ahead of elections in which Labour was already expected to receive a mauling at the hands of voters, appeared to be an attempt to destabilise the Prime Minister.

The Salford MP was a former chairwoman of the Labour Party and one of the most prominent Blairites in Mr Brown's cabinet, but had come under pressure over her failure to pay capital gains tax on a property on which she claimed parliamentary second homes allowances. She repaid £13,000, but her action was branded "totally unacceptable" by the PM.

Downing Street said that Mr Brown "respects and understands" Ms Blears' decision to quit and would replace her "very shortly".

Opposition MPs leapt on her departure as an indication that the Government was in "meltdown" following weeks of bad publicity and tumbling opinion poll ratings.

Shadow cabinet member Theresa May told Sky News: "We have a Government that is in complete meltdown. I think the game is up for Gordon Brown. We are seeing a Government that is in its last dying throes."

Ms Blears told Mr Brown of her decision to quit at a face-to-face meeting, said Downing Street.

Mr Brown's spokesman said: "In the Prime Minister's view she has made an outstanding contribution to public life, most recently as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. He respects and understands the decision she has taken."