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Gordon Brown will not be “ousted” as Prime Minister no matter what happens in the European elections, Jack Straw claimed today.
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.
Reader views (34)
Yes, the craven egotist Brown will meet with his fellow conspirators - the man of Straw and the rest - to discuss 'the fate' of the backbenchers not to discuss and apologise and make recompense for their own venality, of course, starting with the Brown flab and his fiddles and evasions. No Brown won't be booted out by his fellow hangers-on in Parliament. That pleasure will be left to us to savour come the next election.
- Judith C, London, England
MR BROWN NEED NOT WORRY BECAUSE THE ELECTORATE WILL GET RID OF HIM, IF HE DOES NOT GET TOPPLED, HE IS HOPELESS AT EVERYTHING HE AS TOUCHED, IT CAN ONLY HAPPEN IN THE UK AN UNELECTED NIGHTMARE AT THE HELM AND JOE MUGGS THE PUBLIC HAVE TO SUFFER AND POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING TO GET RID OF HIM AND HE NEW FINE WELL ABOUT THE EXPENSES DEBACLE AND OUT OF EMBARRASSMENT HE MADE OUT HE WANTED ALL PUBLISHED AND THEN WE DISCOVER THERE WAS 3 DISCS AND THEY HAD ALL BEEN DOCTORED FOR PUBLIC VEIWING SO SAD,
- James Fennessey, london
Crash Gordon will stay un-elected PM for the rest of his life and he will go down as the worst prime minister Britain had after the second world war, perhaps ever. Both economically and socially Britain is another basket case thanks to his ten years of "policies".
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
All those years Gordy wanted this job, like Gollum wanting the ring; of course he will not quit and relinquish the precious. It seems in these final days the fellowship of the ring will be split and leave the ring holder all alone. Gordy does not want his gang to leave his side Ms Smit, Hazelnut, Hariet Hardperson and Jack Sprat.
We the people have become the enemy in the fellowships eyes. They forget they serve us and we pay them. Gordy will take the fellowship down like the titanic because everyone now accepts Gordy is a useless leader, he still thinks he can save the world when in truth he can not save himself
- Gary, Brentwood
But what Jack Straw needs to recognise that we, the electorate, are all set to use our people power and boot out the current government. Including Jack Straw.
Just as Ken Livingstone ended his last days preaching to an ever wider audience; fewer and fewer of them were listening.
Does Jack Straw not realise it's too little and too late from the party who promised root and branch reform thirteen years ago and then sat on their hands and did nothing.
Call an election you cowards.
- Andrew Lees, Halifax
“The Prime Minister is secure in his job. He's doing a very good job in what are very difficult circumstances".Quote
He with Phoney Blair helped to create the difficult circumstances he doesn't deserve to be in the position of PM as he is only there by default.
The sooner he "topples" the better as far as I am concerned and I believe a lot of the people in this country feel the same.
Get him out and lets make Britain great again!!
- David Elliott, Braintree, GREAT BRITAIN
Gordon will lead them all the way to the JobCenter! WE WANT AN ELECTION NOW!
- Mark, London
Can't help thinking that Gordon Brown was almost sunk the day he started. We live in a day of personality politics and it just doesn't work for folk like Gordon Brown after Tony Blair, just like it didn't work for John Major after Maggie Thatcher. Cameron's promise to take power out from Westminster is interesting but it is too easy to promise things in opposition. As to Gordon Brown being ousted a very wise man once said that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
- Barry Hall, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
I think Gordon Brown is playing for time until he finds a country that will accept him as an immigrant. He will be as unwelcome in Scotland as he is in England after the election. Wonder if North Korea would suit him, or perhaps a mountain retreat in Nepal with some friendly Ghurkas to tend to his needs. I feel really sorry for his wife who I'm sure is a very nice, honest and sincere lady. Her life can't be a barrel of fun at the moment as Gordon staggers from crisis to crisis.
- Scotty, Cambridge UK
Brown wont have to be toppled by plotters, that is our job.
Nobody was aloud to vote for him in the first place and now nobody will vote for him when they get a chance.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
That's good to know, Jack. We want Gordon there to receive his long-overdue kicking in the general election. Enjoy the ride!
- Paul Freeman, London, England
Plotters - possibly not, but voters ???
- Jeremy E, Home Counties
Brown the leader of the Looney Lefties!!!
- Mark A, Warrington England
I would also like to know why that mob in the den of iniquity previously known as the palace of westminster have 80 days holiday a year. I think i will go and tell my boss i want the same, after all when in Rome and all that.
- David, London
Has "Last Straw"s expenses been referred to in the Telegraph does anyone know?
- Jb, London
I hope Jack Straw is right. I'd much rather the voters got rid of him. There would then be less scope for him to rationalise his demise or blame disloyal colleagues. Brown needs to know with full certainty that we want rid of him and we really do mean it.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK
More weasel words from the incompetent deluded Brown. If Labour were truly interested in reform they would have had a referendum, as promised in their manifesto, following their victory in 1997. They did not and I have not voted for them since.
As it is, one would think that any party that achieves a large majority having only received just over 35% of the National vote at an election as in 2005. Would be shamed into calling for electoral reform on the basis of having no mandate to rule. Rather than proceed on a course of destroying the country's economy with a reckless spending programme and an open doors immigration policy. Now when they are exposed for what they are, self serving socialists not interested in democracy but controlling and spying on the lives of the UK public, who have found them out. They show an interest in electoral reform, simply because the public they have let down and basically despised are ready to give them the boot at the first opportunity. They do not deserve their grossly inflated pensions never mind being listened to.
- Harry H, London UK
gorden,
Is this going to be part of the 3 year 2 year plan, or part of the 4 year 5 year plan?
It's just most of us don't understand most of the crap that spews from your mouth, every time you open it.
gorden, have you ever heard the expression verbal diaroheah?
You have it badly, I think you need to start carrying toilet paper around with you.
- P Staker, London
Gormless Brown is spouting that he plans "to focus on the economy".
WHAT was he doing as Chancellor of the Exchequer for 10 years - playing tiddlywinks?
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster
Rather than 'recall', there should openness and access to information. They want to know all about us, we should know all about them.
- James, Bradford
It is promises and of course you cannot trust the labour manifesto, broken pledges everywhere.
Along with any reform why not make MP's EMPLOYEE'S subject too the PAYE system, they will then know the TAX burden we all face 1st hand.
By the way has anyone seen Mr Brown, at Least Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg are around facing the music and coming up with proposals.
Of course Mr Brown cannot afford to upset his Party can he, oherwise he will be out on his ear.
A prompt election is called for, we cannot have 2 unelected PM's and Mr Brown has covetted this Job for years only to find his own level of incompetence
The Silurian
- The Silurian, Brixham
When the ship is sinking; any life boat will do; even a door floating in the water is better than nothing.
If any politician wants to really prove they honestly care about the people of Great Britain; then let them state publically that they will give all the people a bill of rights and a real constitution under law; as they have in the USA.
Tony Blair once hinted at it; but soon forgot it once he was elected; as they all do.
Now with this bent Parliament exposed before the whole world; full of bent politicians lying their heads off; let them know we want nothing less than a bill of rights, and a real constitution from now on, and for all the people, not just them and the elite; except nothing less, if they want the privileged job of being an MP and working for us; instead of themselves etc.
Do not be side-tracked with any more of their spin and con-tricks; demand a Bill of Rights ‘’Now’’
- Mickyinlondon, london
Bit late now Brown, face it your doomed
- Mike, London England
Brown has sealed his own fate by refusing to sack the MPs guilty of "flipping", "double dipping" and thieving from the public purse. To allow the guilty ones to "step down at the next election" is totally unacceptable. By doing so tax payers have to continue paying their salaries and odious expenses, plus give them a "golden handshake" upon retirement. The thieves in his cabinet must NOT be further financially rewarded at tax payers' expense. No severance pay/relocation grants. We have already bought and furnished two homes for the majority of them. Enough is enough.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
All we will want to hear from Godawful Gordon after 4 June is when is the election going to be. WHEN, WHEN, WHEN???
- Jilly, London
"You'd have to be a total and utter Keith Price or a raving Val Daniels to support McClown now"
Haha brilliant! Ethan,you've just coined two new phrases that I think should definitely be introduced to the modern English Language.
"To be a Keith Price / Raving Val Daniels" = To blindly support and praise (in a brainwashed and propagandist manner) an anti-democratic,justice-hating,dictatorial,morally bankrupt and utterly incompetent Nu-Labour Government.
- A.Non Pc, London,UK
mcclown is promising promises , after i assume , we vote for him or his cronies next week.
not in the slightest bit tempting im afraid !!!!
- Clive, london
Promises -
This is not a time for just talk, people now want to see cross party and independent action in policy making by individuals who at least have not been tarnished by scandals.
Unless this is in the proposal, it will not be constructive and lead to more frustration.
People are now questioning the rationality and adequacy of the foundation of the structure of Parliament, i.e. among others, and most prominently the tribalism of Party Politics.
These are very interesting times indeed, and I do not believe the current incumbent are up to it...
This is why David Cameron wants to rush a general election on the one hand, and Gordon Brown is buying time on the other.
I think we need a hung parliament to force reforms through, as any big majority party will go back to the old comfort zone and broken promises, guaranteed, and even if not, we cannot afford it, this is a once in a century opportunity for positive change...
- Nabil H, London, UK
Announcements and talk, but no action. Usual Brown modus operandi.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
As McClown himself once said.
There is nothing you could say to me now that I would ever believe.
You'd have to be a total and utter Keith Price or a raving Val Daniels to support McClown now.
Mind you I was loathing McClown before it became popular.
- Ethan, UK
Oh please, not another of your blueprint, plan, or whatever. Do you honestly think we can still trust you with all your broken promises and U-turns?
- K Lee, Cheshunt, UK
Brown couldn't unveil a choc ice with making a mess of it! No doubt it will be full of 'visions' and 'proposals' bottom line, nothing will be done as always with this rabble it's all spin and is aimed at shoring up Brown and his cronies. GET THE MESSAGE BROWN, GO, WE ARE NOT LISTENING ANYMORE. WE WANT AN ELECTION AND WE WANT ALL OF OUR STOLEN MONEY BACK!
- Ed, Hants
He is crafty but not clever enough!
He is not going to announce this now because he is wants to put a positive spin on the truly awful and disastrous poll results expected on the 4/6. He wants to deflect the media from slagging him off plus attempts by cabinet colleagues to force the expected leadership challenge.
Just wait!
- William Grierson, Kimpton-UK
He always announces reforms or some super world plan but nothing really happens. He should be removed as he messes up EVERYTHING! We are now bankrupted.
- Steveo, London NW1
