Brown 'faces fight for the leadership'

Chancellor Gordon Brown will not have a clear run at becoming Labour leader when Tony Blair steps down, it has emerged.

Health Secretary John Reid revealed there were "some pretty valid contestants" vying for the job.

In a BBC television interview, he made it clear that Mr Brown could not expect to stand unchallenged.

But the Chancellor's hopes were given a boost after he was identified as the Prime Minister's "natural successor" by former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson.

In an interview conducted by former Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell, to be broadcast later this week, Mr Mandelson - regarded as Mr Blair's closest political ally - envisages a seamless handover of power to Mr Brown when the Prime Minister leaves No 10.

Mr Blair has failed to kill off speculation that he plans to step down as Prime Minister if Labour win a third term, despite insisting he has "no plans" to quit.