Field apologises to Brown

Wednesday, 14 May 2008 12:00 AM

Frank Field, the leader of the Labour rebellion over the 10p tax rate, apologised to Gordon Brown yesterday for letting his campaign become personal.

After the chancellor, Alistair Darling, had announced the package of measures designed to assist those hurt by the change, Mr Field took the opportunity to stand up and make his apology to the prime minister in front of a packed House of Commons.

After congratulating Mr Darling, he said: "As the prime minister is in his place, may I add that over the weekend I allowed my campaign to become personal. I much regret that and I apologise without reservation."

Most apologies in the House are pre-planned events that arise as a result of political pressure, so Mr Field's comments took the Commons by surprise.

Over the weekend, Mr Field made several personal attacks on the prime minister, saying he was prone to rages and was uncomfortable in his own body.

Tags:
• equality
,
• labour
,
• party politics