The spokesman for the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, is resigning following a row over a press leak that led to the downfall of two ministers.

The spokesman, Charlie Whelan, denied responsibility for the leak.

But correspondents say he has been widely blamed for prompting the resignation of the former Trade and Industry Secretary, Peter Mandelson, a close ally of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

The other minister to resign was the treasury minister, Geoffrey Robinson, following the revelation that he'd provided Mr Mandelson with a substantial loan.Correspondents say Mr Whelan's announcement is a sign of infighting within Britain's governing Labour Party between those backing the Prime Minister and those backing the Chancellor.