Senior Labour figures have backed Gordon Brown amid claims that Tony Blair had written off the Prime Minister's chances of winning the next election.

Ministers moved to insist Mr Brown was safe in his job despite more dire polls and warnings that Labour would be punished in Thursday's local elections for scrapping the 10p tax rate.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband rejected any suggestion that Mr Brown would have to stand down if Labour was heavily defeated in Thursday's elections.

He added: "We know what's fatal - if we fail to defend the leader, we lose sight of our core convictions and we don't follow through on what we started."

Justice Secretary Jack Straw acknowledged the problems the Government faced but backed Mr Brown to lead Labour through them.

He said: "Yes we've faced some difficulties, but I'm quite sure that under Gordon's leadership we can get through this."

Gordon Brown's electability was called into question again after Lord Levy - one of Mr Blair's closest allies - said Mr Brown's predecessor felt he was incapable of beating David Cameron.

Mr Blair denied the claim by his former chief fundraiser and tennis partner, saying the premier could still win in what is likely to be a 2010 general election.

His comments were backed by a series of senior Labour figures, including Mr Brown's long-time foe Peter Mandelson.

But their confidence was contradicted by a poll of crucial marginal seats suggesting that Labour was on course to lose 131 MPs.

In a heavily-anticipated serialisation of his autobiography, Lord Levy claimed Mr Blair felt his chancellor and successor "could never beat" Mr Cameron.

Mr Blair also described Mr Brown as a "liar" for his alleged part in attempts to hasten the leadership succession, Lord Levy said.

He described how the former premier felt he could have won a fourth term had he not stood down last summer.

"But Gordon? He can't defeat Cameron," Mr Blair was quoted by Lord Levy as saying.

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