Fresh trouble as 35 Labour MPs rebel on asylum

Tony Blair faced fresh Labour unrest today after 35 of his MPs defied the Government over asylum seekers' rights.

Labour chiefs moved swiftly to deny reports that regular rebels would be threatened with "show trials" and sackings in a bid to curb the trouble. Six persistent rebels, including Diane Abbott, were said by the Daily Telegraph to be facing the axe at the next election unless they pledged their loyalty to Mr Blair in front of Labour's national executive.

Labour sources dismissed the claim, pointing out that to take such drastic action would only create martyrs and might even attract more MPs to the rebel cause.

Others said to be targets were Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Lynne Jones, Bob Marshall-Andrews and Mike Wood. However, Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong said: "This story is complete rubbish and totally without foundation." The Commons vote last night was the first major split in Labour ranks since the top-up fees row in January, when the Prime Minister's majority was slashed to five.

It came after Clare Short infuriated Mr Blair by calling on him to stand down and arrange an "elegant transfer" of power to a successor, probably Gordon Brown. Mr Marshall-Andrews accused ministersof a "shameful" attempt to curb appeal rights for failed asylum seekers.

Home Secretary David Blunkett accused lawyers representing refugees of having "cooked the goose that laid them the golden egg" by dragging out costly appeals. He called the process "a disgrace that is coming to an end".