Brown accused of 'grubby deal making'

Updated 17.34 Wed Jul 02 2008

Keywords: anti-terror, Gordon Brown, Labour party

Gordon Brown has faced embarrassment after it emerged a Labour MP was told he would be "appropriately rewarded" for his support for the Government's controversial anti-terror measures.

The Prime Minister was accused of "grubby deal-making" after Chief Whip Geoff Hoon's remark to Keith Vaz was disclosed.

Mr Hoon's office insisted the comment was a "light-hearted" remark between two old friends

It came in a letter to Mr Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, a day after the Government won a crunch Commons vote on 42-day pre-charge detention for terror suspects.

Mr Vaz, who originally opposed the measure only to back it when Mr Brown was facing defeat in the Commons last month, has previously denied being promised a knighthood.

In the letter, Mr Hoon wrote: "Just a quick note to thank you for all your help during the period leading up to last Wednesday's vote.

"I trust that it will be appropriately rewarded!"

Mr Hoon's office insisted the comment was a "light-hearted" remark between two old friends.

And the Prime Minister has repeatedly denied doing any backroom deals to get the proposals through.