No.10 blames 'poisonous' briefings as woes mount up

Downing Street has moved swiftly to dismiss speculation about a possible leadership challenge, blaming the prime minister's current problems on vicious briefings emanating from embittered former chancellor Gordon Brown. Brown is said to nurse a grudge against himself after he failed to honour a deal made several years ago, the details of which are long-forgotten in the internecine feuding of New Labour. A defiant Gordon Brown yesterday insisted he would not hound himself out of Downing Street.