Gordon Brown's allies have defended him after John Prescott branded him "prickly".

In his new autobiography, the former Deputy Prime Minister reveals the explosive relationship between Mr Brown and Tony Blair in the years before Mr Blair finally stood down last year.

He says that he believed Mr Brown considered resigning from the cabinet due to their differences but pulled back because of the "possible consequences".

Mr Prescott reveals he challenged Gordon Brown to quit as Chancellor over Tony Blair's broken promises to make way for him as Prime Minister.

He also told Mr Blair that he should sack his Chancellor if he could no longer tolerate his behaviour, but Mr Blair also drew back as he knew it would tear Labour apart.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he disagreed with the book's description of the Prime Minister as "frustrating, annoying, bewildering and prickly".

He said: "I work with Gordon Brown most days of the week, he is someone who is absolutely passionate about the values that he believes in.

"He is clear about the goals we are pursuing and yes, as he said, he does get into the detail but that is important.

"You need a Prime Minister who is able to have command of the detail as well as the bigger picture.

"I don't recognise the portrait that John has set out. That is why the Government has to get on with the job."

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