Beckett backs Brown as PM

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has come out strongly in favour of Gordon Brown to succeed Tony Blair when he steps down as Prime Minister.

"I have always felt that Gordon was the person who would be a brilliant prime minister - was both most likely to succeed Tony and also should," she told Sky News's Sunday Live programme.

"As far as I am concerned it is Gordon Brown's time."

Another Cabinet heavyweight, Northern Ireland Secretary, Peter Hain also reaffirmed his support for the Chancellor as the next prime minister.

However Mr Hain, who has said that he intends to stand for the deputy leadership when John Prescott steps down, said he believed it would be good for the Labour Party if there was a proper leadership contest.

"I think a contest would be healthy for the party. Gordon has said that and I agree with him," he told Sunday Live.

"I don't think that anybody can beat Gordon because I think he is the best person for the job. He is the other towering figure of British politics.

"I think when Gordon does, as I think he will, walk into No 10 to follow Tony, then people will see he is a substantial figure - a global figure as well as a big British figure - and I think he will tower over British politics in a way that Tony has."

Mr Hain played down Mr Blair's refusal to be drawn on whether he endorsed Mr Brown as his successor.

"He has said in the past that Gordon would make a brilliant prime minister. I think people can draw their own conclusions," he said.