Ex-cabinet ministers call for Labour leadership contest

Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt have written to all Labour MPs calling for the leadership issue to be sorted out "once and for all".

Ex-Home Secretary Charles Clarke confirmed that he had received the letter from his former Cabinet colleagues and was backing their move.

The Norwich North MP, who has been one of Mr Brown's fiercest backbench critics, told the Press Association: "I have received the letter and I support their call."

In the letter, Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt said that unless the issue of the leadership was resolved, it could undermine Labour's general election campaign.

"Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance," they said.

"We have therefore come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot.

"There is a risk otherwise that the persistent background briefing and grumbling could continue up to and possibly through the election campaign, affecting our ability to concentrate all of our energies on getting our real message across.

"In what will inevitably be a difficult and demanding election campaign, we must have a determined and united parliamentary party.

"It is our job to lead the fight against our political opponents. We can only do that if we resolve these distractions. We hope that you will support this proposal."