Blair in U-turn over CPS snub to Queen

The Government today went into reverse over plans to rename the Crown Prosecution Service and drop all reference to the Queen.

Amid confusion, embarrassment and anger, Tony Blair's official spokesman insisted no decision had been taken. And he hinted it might never happen.

His about- turn came despite a firm announcement yesterday from Home Secretary David Blunkett. He told a conference in London-"We have agreed now that, right across the country, the CPS will become the Public Prosecution Service."

This brought a deluge of criticism because it seemed the Queen had not been consulted. But Solicitor General Harriet Harman, forced to answer an emergency question in the Commons, denied they were "backing off ".