Blair 'not diverted' by Short threat to resign

Prime Minister Tony Blair is focused on obtaining a second UN resolution on Iraq despite a threat by International Development Secretary Clare Short to resign, his spokesman said today.

Mr Blair spoke "briefly" to the outspoken Cabinet minister last night and this morning following her comments on BBC radio last night.

Ms Short put her job on the line by suggesting that the Premier's handling of the crisis had been "reckless" and said she would resign if he took Britain to war without UN backing.

Mr Blair's spokesman, asked whether he thought it was appropriate for a Cabinet

minister to describe the Premier as reckless, said: "The Prime Minister spoke to her (Ms Short) briefly last night and he spoke to her briefly again this morning. But his focus remains resolutely on getting a second resolution.

"This is what he has been working for since last August."

The Prime Minister spent the weekend phoning around world leaders to garner support for the US–British–Spanish resolution and would continue doing so today, the spokesman said.

He added: "The core of our approach remains the Hans Blix report to the UN on Friday and, in particular, the clusters document (which lists evidence of Saddam not complying)."

The key was that Saddam had to comply with resolution 1441, the spokesman said.

He added: "We still don't have the answers to the questions – where is the mustard gas, where is the VX, where is the anthrax?"

Saddam had to choose between disarmament and exile, the spokesman said.

"This time is different. This time, there is no escaping the two options of either disarmament or going into exile."

Mr Blair's spokesman repeatedly refused to say whether the premier retained full confidence in Ms Short or wanted her to remain in the cabinet.

The spokesman answered repeatedly: "The Prime Minister remains absolutely focused on the need to get a second resolution."

His comments were bound to fuel speculation that once the issue of a second resolution was resolved at the UN Ms Short's fate would be sealed – either by her resignation or her dismissal.

The spokesman indicated that Mr Blair "spoke briefly" last night to the Secretary of State in a call initiated by Number 10 alerted to her comments by press inquiries. It was not clear who initiated this morning's call.

The spokesman said: "He was surprised by these comments particularly since they had a one–to–one meeting last Friday when these views were not expressed.

"He did not hear the interview last night because he began a conversation with one of the other world leaders at 10 o'clock last night."

The spokesman went on: "He believes this is crucial not just for the future of Iraq but also to the future of the United Nations and believes nobody should be sending a mixed signal to Saddam that once again he can duck making his decision."

Asked if that was a pointed reference to Ms Short, the spokesman again declined to comment.