Ministers rally to bolster Brown

Chancellor Alistair Darling, deputy leader Harriet Harman and Skills Secretary John Denham spoke out in a bid to put a lid on speculation over Mr Brown's position, which has raged since Labour's humiliating by-election defeat in Glasgow East.

Although none attacked David Miliband directly, their intervention is a rebuff for the Foreign Secretary, who has faced calls for his dismissal following a newspaper article in which he set out his vision for Labour's future without once mentioning Mr Brown.

Writing in the News of the World, the three ministers leave no doubt of their conviction that Mr Brown should stay in his job, despite leading Labour to its lowest poll ratings in a generation.

Ms Harman said the party needs someone who can supply "hard work and ability" at a time when Britain is being buffeted by international economic crisis.

She wrote: "When you face these kinds of global problems you need, as prime minister, someone who is respected on the international stage. Someone whose hard work and ability over the last 11 years has made Britain better off. That's why I've no doubt that Gordon Brown is the right person for the job.

Mr Darling said: "The determination and strong purpose shown by Gordon are why he will lead us into the next election and win the confidence of the country. All of us are focused on that."

And Mr Denham warned: "We do not want a summer of leadership speculation. We have got a good case to make and we should get out there and make it. All this leadership speculation gets in the way of us putting our message across."

Also declaring his support for Mr Brown was business tycoon and star of TV reality show The Apprentice, Sir Alan Sugar.

Writing in The Sun, Sir Alan said: "We will make a fatal error by not giving Gordon a chance to roll out his plans. Yes, he is a serious bloke. Dare I say he make come over a bit boring - he's not a trained actor, he's a deep thinker. Let me tell you, this fellow is no mug."