Brown denies he unleashed 'forces of hell'

GORDON Brown today denied he had instructed his aides to unleash "the forces of hell" against Alistair Darling as he insisted he had "huge" respect for the Chancellor.

The Prime Minister said he and Mr Darling had been friends for 20 years, adding: "I would never instruct anybody to do anything other than support my Chancellor."

Mr Brown's remarks come after Mr Darling accused aides to the Prime Minister of unleashing "the forces of hell" against him for predicting the recession would be the worst for 60 years.

The Chancellor last night said the PM's supporters had sought to undermine him in the past.

In remarkably outspoken comments, he pointed the finger at Damian McBride, Mr Brown's former spin doctor who resigned last year over allegations about a planned smear campaign.

Asked whether Number 10 was responsible, he added: "Not just them, the Tories as well."