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What's all this about 'sleaze' allegations?
Tony Blair is to announce his resignation by Christmas, members of his inner circle believe.
The Prime Minister's closest aides feel that, following a series of damaging rows over education and "sleaze", he will quit within nine months.
Tony Blair has been hit by sleaze allegationsThe disclosure comes as John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, agreed to try to broker an agreement between Mr Blair and back-bench MPs over the succession after being warned that uncertainty about the leadership is having a disastrous effect on Labour morale.
Joan Ruddock, a former minister, raised the issue of the succession, including the timing of Mr Blair's departure, with Mr Prescott at a meeting of Labour's parliamentary committee on Tuesday.
The committee - which holds a weekly meeting with the Prime Minister - is made up of a small group of senior MPs elected by backbenchers to pass on the views of the parliamentary party. Mr Prescott was in the chair because Mr Blair was abroad.
Miss Ruddock was said to have told Mr Prescott of concerns that the timing and nature of any handover were unclear and MPs feared the transition may not be "orderly" if uncertainty persisted.
Mr Prescott, who has often been peacemaker in rows between Mr Blair and Gordon Brown, left her with the clear impression that he would attempt to act as go-between to ensure a "smooth transition".
Tensions between supporters of the Chancellor, who is the favourite to take over, and Mr Blair resurfaced this week after the Prime Minister said in an interview in Australia that he made a "mistake" to say 18 months ago that he would not serve a fourth term.
He also disclosed in Australia that he had decided in his own mind when he would leave No 10 but had not told anyone else his chosen date.
Suggestions that he has told Mr Prescott that he will announce his departure to Labour's annual conference in the autumn were dismissed as "guesswork" by aides.
Inside No 10 the announcement of the departure of the Prime Minister's principal private secretary Ivan Rogers to the private sector is one of several "personnel changes" expected as Mr Blair's time nears its end.
Supporters of Mr Brown say he is dismayed by the "peerages for loans" row.
Scotland Yard said it was widening its investigation into the alleged sale of honours into a cross-party inquiry, almost certainly involving an estimated £22 million in loans raised by the Tories.
Both main parties face possible legal action by the Electoral Commission for failing to supply full details about loans.
The Prime Minister's closest aides feel that, following a series of damaging rows over education and "sleaze", he will quit within nine months.
Tony Blair has been hit by sleaze allegationsThe disclosure comes as John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, agreed to try to broker an agreement between Mr Blair and back-bench MPs over the succession after being warned that uncertainty about the leadership is having a disastrous effect on Labour morale.
Joan Ruddock, a former minister, raised the issue of the succession, including the timing of Mr Blair's departure, with Mr Prescott at a meeting of Labour's parliamentary committee on Tuesday.
The committee - which holds a weekly meeting with the Prime Minister - is made up of a small group of senior MPs elected by backbenchers to pass on the views of the parliamentary party. Mr Prescott was in the chair because Mr Blair was abroad.
Miss Ruddock was said to have told Mr Prescott of concerns that the timing and nature of any handover were unclear and MPs feared the transition may not be "orderly" if uncertainty persisted.
Mr Prescott, who has often been peacemaker in rows between Mr Blair and Gordon Brown, left her with the clear impression that he would attempt to act as go-between to ensure a "smooth transition".
Tensions between supporters of the Chancellor, who is the favourite to take over, and Mr Blair resurfaced this week after the Prime Minister said in an interview in Australia that he made a "mistake" to say 18 months ago that he would not serve a fourth term.
He also disclosed in Australia that he had decided in his own mind when he would leave No 10 but had not told anyone else his chosen date.
Suggestions that he has told Mr Prescott that he will announce his departure to Labour's annual conference in the autumn were dismissed as "guesswork" by aides.
Inside No 10 the announcement of the departure of the Prime Minister's principal private secretary Ivan Rogers to the private sector is one of several "personnel changes" expected as Mr Blair's time nears its end.
Supporters of Mr Brown say he is dismayed by the "peerages for loans" row.
Scotland Yard said it was widening its investigation into the alleged sale of honours into a cross-party inquiry, almost certainly involving an estimated £22 million in loans raised by the Tories.
Both main parties face possible legal action by the Electoral Commission for failing to supply full details about loans.
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