MPs 'too loyal to criticise Brown'

Gordon Brown 'not supporting' ministers

Wednesday, 19, Dec 2007 12:00

MPs are "appalled" by some of Gordon Brown's speeches but are too loyal to criticise the prime minister, a former home secretary has claimed.

This is despite Mr Brown's lack of support for his senior ministers, Charles Clarke said.

In his first public criticism of the new prime minister, Tony Blair's former Cabinet colleague told the Guardian backbench MPs had been "appalled" by Gordon Brown's commitment to "British jobs for British workers" – made at the autumn conference – but could not speak out without appearing disloyal.

If his comments had been made by a Labour leader at any other time in the past four decades they would have caused controversy, Mr Clarke insisted.

Mr Clarke also accused Mr Brown of not supporting his senior ministers.

He said: "In David Miliband and Alistair Darling and [Jacqui] Smith he's got three strong people and good people who should be supported and to some extent they are not.

"Tony would always support his key people. Gordon should do that with his people."

Today's interview with the Guardian marks the first public attack on Mr Brown by a Blairite, after the former prime minister reportedly instructed colleagues not to openly criticise his successor.

Mr Clarke today said the loyalty shown towards Mr Brown was "staggering, given his disloyalty to Tony."

However, he rejected the inevitable suggestion he is trying to bring back the Blairites, insisting: "There is only one question for Labour – how do we win the next election."

Mr Clarke disputed the suggestion he had turned down a job offer from Mr Brown, saying he would be "delighted" to serve under the new prime minister if the role was something he felt he could do.

Last month, the prime minister's official spokesman praised Mr Clarke as a "distinguished and experienced former minister".