MP rebukes `excitable' Blair

London - The British Labour MP Mr Ken Livingstone yesterday accused the Prime Minister, Mr Blair, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer…

London - The British Labour MP Mr Ken Livingstone yesterday accused the Prime Minister, Mr Blair, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown, of becoming "more and more excitable" as the ballot for the selection of the party candidate for mayor of London approaches, Rachel Donnelly reports.

Mr Blair had told London activists on Wednesday night that Labour could not afford to stand by in a situation where Mr Livingstone was calling for the sacking of Mr Brown and advocating support for rioters in Seattle.

In an article in the London Evening Standard, Mr Livingstone said he would like to introduce a sense of proportion into the debate. "I am seeking selection as Labour candidate for London mayor - not Chancellor of the Exchequer or Prime Minister," he added.