Downing Street denies Short inquiry

Mr Blair and Ms Short have had their differences

Downing Street has tried to play down Clare Short's absence from a compulsory Commons vote on the government's plans for foundation hospitals.

The international development secretary has claimed she simply made a mistake over timekeeping.

But subsequent press reports suggested a whips' inquiry was underway into Ms Short's absence on such a controversial issue.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "Clare Short explained the reason that she didn't vote on Wednesday night was that she got the time wrong, which indicates that she was going to vote at 10 o'clock."

The prime minister doesn't take a register and collect the milk money

Downing Street

There was no truth, the spokesman insisted, that Ms Short avoided the vote because she disagreed with the policy on foundation hospitals.

"This is the agreed and settled policy of the whole government, supported by the whole government and the most important thing about what happened on Wednesday was that this vote was carried and we are pressing ahead with the policy of devolving power to the front line of the health service," said the spokesman.

Ministers are said to have received several reminders via pager reminding them of the three-line whipped vote on hospitals

Ms Short also missed Thursday's regular cabinet meeting - a unusual move given she was not overseas.

Her absence was said to be because she was preparing for a meeting on the situation in the Congo with the presidents of Rwanda and Uganda.

Grown up

Mr Blair's spokesman said they had advance notice that Ms Short would not be at the cabinet meeting.

"It's not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last time, that a member of the Cabinet has not been able to attend Cabinet.

"We are fairly grown up about these things. The prime minister doesn't take a register and collect the milk money."

Speculation about Ms Short's political future has been rife since accused the prime minister of being "reckless" over his policy on Iraq and appeared poised to quit if war started.

In the event she decided to stay, conceding her decision would have won her few friends.