Prescott rebukes Short over spin claim

John Prescott issued a public rebuke to Clare Short yesterday for describing the Government's style as "lousy and crummy" in a newspaper interview.

The Deputy Prime Minister accused his cabinet colleague of "spin" and made clear that he was criticising her for a number of off-message remarks she has made while a member of the Cabinet.

Mr Prescott, who is in charge while Tony Blair is away, said Ms Short was mistaken to say the Government, though basically "good", had a "crummy, lousy style". "She says the Government is good in its substance but then goes on to say presentation is crummy and lousy," he said. "Well, what do you want? I'm more concerned about substance.

"Crummy and lousy is a bit like spin, the language. I do not think she is entirely right, no," he said.

Mr Prescott's intervention is a sign that Ms Short's cabinet colleagues have been embarrassed by another outburst critical of government conduct. Ms Short had also accused the Government of allowing targets to "proliferate madly".

But Mr Prescott made clear that Ms Short had herself set targets for her department, including cutting poverty and increasing access to fresh water in the Third World.

The Deputy Prime Minister implied that Ms Short should be more careful with the language she uses.

"I think what happens with some of Clare's remarks is that they are blown up in the press," he told Today on BBC Radio 4. "In some cases I agree with a great deal with what Clare says.From time to time, though, she wraps it up in language that gives the papers the opportunity to either dress her up as the conscience of the party, or otherwise attacking Government."