Gordon Brown faced fresh leadership turmoil after a junior whip on Friday became the first member of his government to call for a challenge to the prime minister.

Siobhain McDonagh, a previously loyal Blairite, was replaced in her government job within hours of claiming that “huge numbers” of Labour MPs backed her view the party should hold a leadership election. “I think we need to clear the air. I think whoever wants to stand for leader of the Labour party should do so,” she stated.