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Heads may roll in UK crisis
01/05/2006 23:23 - (SA)
London - British Prime Minister Tony Blair's government was on the rack on Monday, nine years after coming to power, with his deputy and interior ministers facing calls to quit in separate sex and prisoner scandals.
Commentators expect Blair to reshuffle his embattled cabinet after local elections in England on Thursday in a bid to regain public confidence.
His own job, however, also looks increasingly vulnerable as the recent wave of political crises battered support for his government and increased calls for Blair to reveal when he will fulfil a pledge to step down.
Prescott sex claims
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was back in the spotlight after a second woman claimed he seduced her and a third accused the married father-of-two of sexual harassment.
The developments followed Prescott's admission last week that he had a two-year affair with his diary secretary, prompting calls for him to resign.
Prescott is not alone.
Home secretary under fire
Home Secretary Charles Clarke's neck is also on the line after his ministry failed to consider more than 1 000 foreign criminals for deportation after they were released from jail. Some have gone on to re-offend.
This scandal is seen by commentators as much more serious than Prescott's sexual transgressions, and Clarke is considered more likely to face the chop than the deputy prime minister.
Bob Wareing, an MP from his own Labour Party, told the BBC: "I think he should resign. The point is that you can't get away from this basic principle that the minister is responsible."
Clarke vows to stay
Clarke, however, insisted he would stay the course despite further damning revelations about his involvement in the prisoner furore.
"My own political future depends on my own strength of character dealing with the points that are raised, first, secondly on the support of my own political colleagues, and thirdly and most importantly, on the decisions of the prime minister," the minister told his local newspaper.
"If I lost that support, that would be different. I hope I will continue as home secretary," Clarke was quoted as telling the Eastern Daily Press.
Clarke kept prisoner news from Blair
His comments came as officials confirmed Clarke knew for more than three weeks before telling Blair that prisoners convicted of serious crimes were among the 1 023 foreign offenders mistakenly allowed back into the community.
David Davis, home affairs spokesperson for the main opposition Conservatives, said he wanted Clarke to update MPs on the situation in Parliament on Tuesday.
Clarke has faced a strong backlash, particularly after saying on Friday that five of the most serious offenders had gone on to commit drugs and violence offences after their release from prison. Another two had been accused of rape.
Davis summed it up: "On the one hand, you have got John Prescott who is a Whitehall (government) farce. Charles Clarke is a national tragedy."
- AFP
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