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Brown's climbdown fails to satisfy ministerial critics

Gordon Brown's tactical retreat on the hybrid embryo question followed strong attacks by Catholic Church leaders during the Easter weekend over his refusal to allow his MPs a free vote. Although ministers are now confident the Bill will be approved, some Labour MPs are concerned that the row has damaged Labour and should have been defused more quickly.

Three Catholic members of Cabinet who have grave doubts about the creation of hybrid embryos – Paul Murphy, the Welsh Secretary; Des Browne, the Defence Secretary and Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary – have signalled that they would accept the compromise.

However, some ministers outside the Cabinet may be unhappy about backing the Bill on its third reading. Those with doubts include two Labour whips, Frank Roy and Thomas McAvoy.

Mr Brown made clear that ministers would be expected to vote for the Bill on its third reading. However, Labour sources said later they may be allowed to abstain if whips were confident the Government would win this vote. This would allow Mr Brown to avoid the criticism that MPs could vote with their conscience one week but not the next.

Full story at The Independent.