Downing Street is widely believed to hold Mr Whelan responsible for the leak that led to Peter Mandelson being forced to quit the Cabinet last week.

Charlie Whelan: Gordon Brown's spin doctor

In one briefing, a Number 10 spokesman described the Treasury spin doctor as a "little oik".

Mr Whelan has spent the week since the Mandelson scandal broke and the accusatory fingers first started pointing in Scotland.

But Mr Brown is understood to be backing Mr Whelan in denying any responsibility for the story about Mr Mandelson's secret loan from former paymaster general Geoffrey Robinson.

The latest twist in the on-going saga is likely to prompt speculation that government feuding extends to the highest levels.

Former Labour deputy leader Lord Hattersley told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he blamed junior officials, rather than any ministers.

"I very much doubt if the chancellor and the prime minister are having difficulties in their relationship," he said.

"I think some of the men and women who work for the chancellor and the prime minister are antagonistic towards each other, as young enthusiasts often are.

"But I suspect that the chancellor and the prime minister are as close as two men in government have been for a very long time."

Most of Tuesday's newspapers interpret Cabinet Office Minister Jack Cunningham's comments to the BBC as a direct attack on Mr Whelan.

Jack Cunningham: "We need to put this matter behind us"

The Cabinet "enforcer" said: "We need to put this matter behind us and put behind us some of the activities of people who may think they can have their own agenda on their own account whether it conflicts with the government's agenda or not.

Jack Cunningham: Wants end to in-fighting

"I say that cannot be allowed to happen, cannot be allowed to continue and we must put an end to it."

The downfall of Mr Mandelson as trade secretary led to a renewed bout of speculation about Cabinet in-fighting.

Mr Mandelson quit on 23 December over an undeclared £373,000 loan from former paymaster general Geoffrey Robinson, who also resigned.

Although the source of the leak about the secret loan has yet to be discovered, speculation immediately centred on Mr Mandelson's enemies at the Treasury.

Downing Street has no direct evidence Chancellor Gordon Brown's press secretary Charlie Whelan is behind the leak, but it would not be the first time the team at No 11 Downing Street have settled old scores.

Clive Soley: "People want to judge us as doing things properly"

Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party Clive Soley has also suggested "disciplinary action" should be used to stem feuds within the party.

Mr Soley told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour: "I've had my own worries off and on as to whether there were people ... settling old scores.

"In my view, if there is evidence of that, those people need to go and we need to be very tough on that.