Jowell defends Brown over 10p tax row

Tessa Jowell has dismissed claims that Gordon Brown's position could be under threat following the row over the scrapping of the 10p tax rate.

Ms Jowell said Mr Brown remained "up to the job" of Prime Minister, despite the Government's climbdown in the face of a threatened revolt by Labour backbenchers.

Ms Jowell acknowledged it was a "very difficult time" for the Government after ministers were forced to promise an emergency compensation package for people hit by the dropping of the 10p rate.

But asked if she was "100 per cent certain" that Mr Brown would still be Labour leader in a year's time, she replied "Yes", while brushing off suggestions that he could be toppled as a "kind of Westminster hysteria".

She added: "He is up to the job of being Prime Minister, and talking in the way Westminster gets into a frenzy never destroys that. He is strong, he is very clear, focused and full of purpose.

"What's important in a sense is not to become bound up in the high decibel exchanges of Westminster but to get out there on to the streets, on to the doorsteps, talk to real people, and for the business, the priorities and the process of government to be informed by the good sense of the British people."

A rebel Labour amendment to the Finance Bill demanding compensation for those affected by the abandoning of the 10p rate was withdrawn on Wednesday after the Government came forward with its offer of a package.

The Tories meanwhile urged voters to "punish" the Government for its treatment of the low-paid workers affected by the tax changes in next week's local council elections in England and Wales.

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