Short may lose whip over UN bugs row

Clare Short faced the renewed threat of severe sanctions from Labour's high command today after the furore over her bugging allegations dramatically reignited.

The former international development secretary's case is to be discussed at a highlevel meeting chaired by Tony Blair this afternoon.

Labour's parliamentary committee - including senior ministers such as John Prescott and party chairman Ian McCartney - could recommend measures ranging from a reprimand to removal of the Labour whip.

Losing the whip would mean Ms Short effectively being stripped of her status as a Labour backbencher, although she would remain an MP.

The row resurfaced at a stormy meeting of Labour MPs today at which backbenchers protested about Ms Short's claims that British spies had bugged UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Eight or nine backbenchers spoke out against Ms Short - and at least one is thought to have called for her expulsion from the party.

At the meeting, at which Ms Short was not present, chief whip Hilary Armstrong also disclosed she had been sent a "number of letters" about Ms Short from Labour MPs.

The strength of feeling was such that the parliamentary committee was effectively forced to considers the case this afternoon - at a time when ministers had hoped the furore had died down.