Lord Turnbull's stinging assessment of Gordon Brown's "Stalinist ruthlessness" caused deep anger among the chancellor's supporters but insufficient concern among MPs to derail his leadership juggernaut.

Mr Brown's supporters acknowledged that Lord Turnbull's onslaught could damage Mr Brown's electoral appeal. "It is unrebuttable," said one minister, explaining that it was impossible for the chancellor immediately to counter an "assassination of his character", especially when he was not yet in Downing Street.