Ministers jump to PM's defence

Ed Balls and Alan Johnson launched a scathing counterattack on Labour rebel Frank Field yesterday.

Their comments came in response to Mr Field's suggestion yesterday that prime minister Gordon Brown would be out of office before the next general election.

Mr Field, who forced the government into an embarrassing U-turn over compensation for those worse off under income tax changes, also described Mr Brown as being "unhappy inside his own body" and prone to "indescribable rages".

Analysts interpreted his comments as an attempt to push Mr Brown from office, coming quickly after damaging comments about his personality in memoirs by Cherie Blair, Lord Levy and John Prescott over the weekend.

Ministers have attempted to undermine Mr Field's power over the 10p income tax issue by saying his latest comments reflect the former welfare minister's personal dislike of Mr Brown.

Schools secretary Ed Balls said: "People could look at what he was saying a few weeks ago and believe at the time his intentions were honourable, but I think it is very unlikely on what I have seen since that Frank Field will support any proposal that is brought forward by the government on the 10p.

"I think it is perfectly right and legitimate in politics between the parties, and within your own party, to have debates about policy and direction," he continued, before arguing that "personal attacks" and "old scores" were unacceptable.

Health secretary Alan Johnson took time off from the embryology bill to criticise Mr Field yesterday.

He told the Today programme he believed people were "tired of this character assassination".

"Frank Field doesn't get on with Gordon Brown. We have known that for ten years.

"In the nature of politics you are bound to have people who don't feel warm and soft towards you, and they are all coming out of the woodwork now."

He demanded: "Stop it, and let's get on with talking about the things that people really care about."