Brown abandons TUC to be with sick mother

Gordon Brown abandoned a keynote speech to union leaders today to visit his sick mother.

The Chancellor flew to Aberdeen to be at the hospital bedside of Elizabeth Brown, 88.

Union favourite Ian McCartney was standing in for Mr Brown at tonight's TUC dinner in Brighton - and set to be given a hero's welcome after surviving last week's cabinet re-shuffle.

Watching his rival's reception will be Alan Milburn, who is tipped to replace him as party chairman. The return of Mr Milburn in the reshuffle dismayed some union chiefs who fear he will press for more privatisation and market-based reforms to public services.

He told union leaders: "This government will not force people to work until 70 years of age."