Embattled Brown survives leadership challenge

Ministers rallied round embattled British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday after he faced down a leadership challenge, but the failed coup dealt him a new blow months ahead of general elections.
In a deeply embarrassing challenge to his already-weakened authority, ex ministers Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt called Wednesday for a ballot of ruling Labour Party lawmakers on whether Brown should remain their leader.
"It is something we could have easily done without," admitted Justice Secretary Jack Straw, but insisted: "I think it will actually have the effect of bringing people behind the leadership even more."