Minister snubbed by Women's Institute

Members of the Women's Institute, who heckled and slow hand-clapped Tony Blair two years ago, have snubbed the offer of a government minister to speak at their annual meeting.

Yvette Cooper, a minister in the Lord Chancellor's Department, offered to address the WI conference in Brighton but was told that the agenda was too full.

Yesterday delegates at the National Federation of Women's Institutes annual meeting joked about the offer from Ms Cooper, who last week was moved by Mr Blair from her job as Public Health minister.

"We were offered a minister but sadly we did not have time and since she has now been reshuffled, it's just as well," said Helen Carey, national chairman. "We do not like to appear rude but we know what happened last time." At their conference two years ago members of the WI jeered the Prime Minister and accused him of trying to hijack the meeting for political ends. Several walked out in protest, causing embarrassment to the Government.

Yesterday a spokesman for Ms Cooper said she "was asked to speak at the event as part of her work as a Department of Health minister".

The Conservatives said it was "not surprising that the Women's Institute have declined the opportunity to hear more spin. No doubt an e-mail will be shortly circulated within the Government seeking to smear the WI for an alleged snub," a Tory spokeswoman said.