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Brown dismisses talk of leadership coup over Libya as he gets 'back to business'
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor8 Sep 2009
Gordon Brown brushed aside fresh speculation about his leadership today as ministers criticised his handling of the Libya row.
As the fallout from the Lockerbie controversy continued, senior backbencher Jon Cruddas warned Labour would go down to "catastrophic defeat" unless the Prime Minister changed his message to voters.
But Downing Street insisted "the Government is back in business" and the Prime Minister chaired the first meeting of his new Domestic Policy Council to discuss health and the police.
Lawyers acting for IRA terror victims killed with Libyan semtex also met senior officials at No 10 to discuss Foreign Office help with their campaign.
Mr Brown's spokesman shrugged off criticism from one unnamed Cabinet minister there was now "Government by fiasco".
Asked if the Prime Minister had made any mistakes this summer, the spokesman said the situation in Afghanistan had been "difficult" but there was now "real progress".
He said Mr Brown was focusing on the G20 in Pittsburgh this month. "He's focused on the issues," the spokesman said.
He added that Cabinet minister Ed Balls had not been reprimanded for suggesting yesterday Mr Brown had privately opposed the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
Reader views (17)
Gordon is by far the most intellectual and thoughtful prime minister we have ever had. I believe the public owes it to him to stick with his policies as he makes our country ever better and stronger. Lets hope common sense prevails and Gordon wins a new 5 year mandate.
- Thomas, London, 09/09/2009 08:00
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Business as usual!!!!! I hope not
- Tonyjohnson, Hythe Kent, 08/09/2009 17:53
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He is known to have a foul temper and screams at his aids...throws ashtrays.........when he cannot get his own way.....he is a mean character...........and is given Scotland the means to get it's own back for centuries of English rule................
- Themanoftruth, United Kingdom, 08/09/2009 17:24
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Facially Brown and Gaddafi remind me of two paper mache glove puppets that I made at school as a child,- the main difference being that my puppets never lied to me or supplied explosives to blow up innocent people.
- Auf Deutsch, Canterbury Kentish Gulag EUSSR., 08/09/2009 16:17
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"facing growing unrest over his leadership today"
I feel I must protest most strongly at this grossly mendacious reporting. Gordon Brown has never, ever in his all-too long tenture at No. 10 shown any leadership, whatsoever.
Whilst he is quick to mourn the loss of Jade Goody or the winning of the Ashes, he is spinelessly invisible when it comes to the not insignificant matter of ruling the country.
He has to be cajoled into making any comments about important matters such as the Lockerbie release, the economy or immigration. However, as soon as some entertainment or sport hits the public consciousness, he is out of the blocks quicker than Usain Bolt.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 08/09/2009 14:29
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@Manny Goldstein, London, England: "Can anyone name only three positive contributions that Gordon Brown has made since 1997?"
1. He took his holiday in the Lake District (pity he didn't stay there).
2. He enquired after Susan Boyle when she was in a clinic.
3. He has been coached to portray a stupid grin - which Joe Public knows is as false as MP's expenses claims.
Enuff said Lol!
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 08/09/2009 14:05
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Why replace the leader of a dying party?,-may as well wait until the general election in less than a year and then get rid of the whole rotten bunch,-nobody would be stupid enough to step into Browns shoes now.
- Aufdeutsch, Canterbury Kentish Gulag EUSSR., 08/09/2009 13:32
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If the British people are going to benefit and accrue dividends as a whole from this sleazy re-approachment with Libya, should'nt relatives of those who suffered the ultimate sacrifice because of indirect actions by Libya be candidates for extra large dividends??
- Bingham Macnamara, lymington, hampshire, 08/09/2009 12:47
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I have to agree with Huggy of Cumbernauld that no other politiciqn in the Labour Party is Primes Minister material - which means that if Brown is the best they have got, the quicker he is booted out and another party allowed to govern - the better.
- Stuart Baker, Leeds UK, 08/09/2009 12:44
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As far as I am concerned the longer Brown clings to office the better. He is the best recruiting sergeant the SNP have ever had.
- Richard Mackinnon, glasgow, 08/09/2009 12:09
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ONE CONTRIBUTION HE MADE WAS HE SOLD OUR GOLD CHEAP(NICE ONE)
TWO HE REDUCED PENSIONS FOR EVERYONE(EXCEPT GOVERMENT BODYS)
THREE HES MANAGED TO KICK MP'S EXPENCES INTO THE VERY LONG GRASS
- Anon, leicestershire, 08/09/2009 11:30
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I tend to agree with Manny. -Brown seems to always be re-active rather than pro-active, and utterly unaware of the moods of public opinion. But for the life of me I don't see any other Labour politician with anything like the necessary qualities of personality or gravitas to be considered Prime Ministerial material.
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 08/09/2009 11:04
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Had Gordon Brown been a CEO in the private sector he would not have lasted 10 minutes. Why then does the whole country have to suffer the continued ineptitude and opaque of his 'leadership'.
Election now !!!!
- Hansel, London, 08/09/2009 10:58
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What leadership?
- Carl, London, 08/09/2009 10:44
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It has been obvious for some time that Gordon Brown and his government are unable to put a foot right on any aspect of policy. Now it is clear that colleagues are distancing themselves from their leader in order to re-position themselves, in the event of a plot to oust him. And all this while the economy is in tatters, the NHS is falling to pieces, the generals are up in arms over the provision of equipment to our soldiers, and on and on and on. I don't believe that the Tories would be much better but this lot have, long since, lost all credibility and all trust. They're a complete shambles and should be kicked into touch asap.
- John, Richmond UK, 08/09/2009 10:37
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No other candidate stood against Gordon Brown in the Labour Party leadership elections to replace Tony Blair, so they are not in any position to complain after 'anointing' him.
He was a known character after being Chancellor for more than a decade so they knew what they were getting.
"... whether it's possible to project his strengths".
Can ANYONE speak plainly and tell the public what these strengths are?
Can anyone name only three positive contributions that Gordon Brown has made since 1997?
- Manny Goldstein, London, England, 08/09/2009 10:28
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Arse - Elbow; Which one is which again?
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 08/09/2009 09:59
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