Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has waded into the row over Gordon Brown's future - calling on colleagues to end the plot to unseat him.

He urged Cabinet ministers to end speculation over a leadership challenge, saying there was no-one in the party to match the PM's political experience.

MPs are said to be collecting names to back Justice Secretary Jack Straw as the next leader after new polls suggested Mr Brown faces certain defeat at the next election.

Mr Prescott told Sky News: "It's my judgment that not one of them, at this point in time, has the ability or the experience to deal with the international problems that Gordon Brown can.

"So can I suggest that we all let Gordon have a good holiday with Sarah and the boys. Enjoy it. He'll come back, renewed, refreshed and ready for us to lead that fight.

"And I must say to some of those who are talking to the media - could they take a holiday, stop talking to them in this silly season.

"If you really want to campaign, go out and campaign for a Labour fourth term - not a fourth leader."

Sky News political correspondent Peter Spencer said he did not think Mr Prescott's intervention would be enough to stifle the conjecture, but might embarrass some involved in the secret briefings.

He added: "I don't think it'll be enough to put the speculation off. Frankly I don't think a Holocaust will be enough to put the speculation off. But certainly it will have some of those people in the Cabinet squirming."

Former Cabinet minister David Blunkett has also warned backbench colleagues demanding a challenge to "grow up".

"The issues that affect people are not ones which divide the party or Gordon Brown from any potential successor," he said.


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