Labour MPs fail to back Byers

TRANSPORT Secretary Stephen Byers was dumped into fresh embarrassment today as an attempt to rally support for PPP among London's Labour MPs collapsed in disarray.

A statement drawn up in support of Mr Byers failed to muster even a bare majority of backbenchers.

Party managers were forced to rely on the "payroll" vote of ministers, whips and parliamentary private secretaries. All are compelled to toe the government line - or resign.

The statement welcomes the Government's decision to press on with PPP despite objections from Ken Livingstone, Bob Kiley and a host of others.

It says MPs are "very pleased that the Government has listened to the concerns of Londoners" over Tube safety and other issues.

It declares: "We firmly believe that the time for squabbling is over and everyone with an interest in the development of a modernised Tube system will welcome the news that it is time for the investment to begin."

The statement is signed by 33 of the 55 London Labour MPs. However, once the "payroll" is stripped out, only 15 backbenchers have signed against 22 who have not.

The exercise was greeted with derision by the other parties.

The leader of London's Liberal Democrats, Edward Davey, said: "If this is the best spin they can put on it, it really is time for them to reconsider."

He said the result only showed how heavily Labour MPs were split.

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