UK News 19-11-2001 Brown Angry As Blair Rift Rumours Grow who: Tony Blair what: Facing more accusations of breakdown in relationship with Gordon Brown where: Downing Street, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: Providing the starkest evidence yet of a rift between Prime Minister and chancellor, cabinet ministers "are uniting against Gordon Brown`s determination to cling to his spending priorities at all costs, in the face of mounting tensions with Tony Blair," writes The Guardian`s Lucy Ward. Alan Milburn, Estelle Morris and Stephen Byers, together with home secretary David Blunkett, are reportedly unhappy with Treasury criticism of their competence or policies, as well as holding the view, said to be shared by mr Blair, "that spending in Labour`s second parliamentary term should focus on investment in hospitals and schools rather than the tax credits for the low-paid backed by Mr Brown." The chancellor, says the Times` William Rees-Mogg, is right to criticise Milburn, Morris and Byers, "three black dots of failing public services", who are attempting "to excuse themselves by pointing the finger of blame at Brown." For his part, the papers report that the chancellor is angry at mr Blair for refusing discuss his long term career plans. "Mr Brown`s followers claim that Mr Blair agreed to hand over the reins of power to Mr Brown" as part of a deal made before mr Brown stood aside in 1994, giving mr Blair a clear run for the Labour leadership, reports the Independent`s Andrew Grice. "But Mr Blair`s allies insist no such promise was made." Downing Street, however, dismissed speculation that the relationship was under strain. "However much people may try to pretend otherwise, the Prime Minister and Chancellor have a closer and better relationship than any of their predecessors," a spokesman said. [... more]

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