Byers in Downing Street for talks

Mr Byers' ministerial career is on the line

Transport Secretary Stephen Byers and his department's top civil servant Sir Richard Mottram, have left Downing Street after talks with Tony Blair.

The meeting came shortly after the transport secretary put his side of the spin row story to the House of Commons in a bid to save his job.

Mr Byers told MPs that there had been a "concerted attempt by a very small number of civil servants in the press office to undermine" his department.

Just what does it take for you to go? You are content to stay at any price, a despised secretary of state that no-one trusts and no-one will deal with

Theresa May
Conservative transport spokeswoman

The statement detailed his version of events surrounding the departure of transport communications director Martin Sixsmith and special adviser Jo Moore.

Mr Byers said he regretted it if he had given the impression during a television interview on Sunday that he had played no role in the discussions leading up to the departure of Mr Sixsmith.

But he said he would not allow himself to be distracted from the task of improving the UK's transport system by the row.

'Not a suitable person'

Mr Sixsmith says he was forced out of his transport department job over his dealings with Ms Moore, who was Mr Byers' personal spin doctor.

But Mr Byers said: "I am clear that Martin Sixsmith, in the way that he conducted himself in the department, was not a suitable person to remain in government, but that ultimately, was not my decision as secretary of state."

Sixsmith's view

Did not resign

Forced out by Byers

No suspicion of misconduct

Shadow transport secretary Theresa May accused Mr Byers of compromising the impartiality and neutrality of the civil service, demanding of him: "Have you no pride?"

She asked: "How can you come here today and attempt, yet again, to put the blame for your own failures on the civil servants in your department?

Mottram's view:

Sixsmith agreed to resign

Moore should also resign

Byers agreed both should go

Sixsmith's departure announced before details finalised

"Just what does it take for you to go? You are content to stay at any price, a despised secretary of state that no-one trusts and no-one will deal with."

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Don Foster said: "Given all of these causes of concern about the crisis in your department, would it not be the right thing now at least for you to move over, let way for someone else to lead your department, and to go now?"

BBC News political editor Andrew Marr had earlier told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "I sort of sense - and no-one has said directly this - I sense a withdrawal of love, if I can put it that way from Downing Street for this minister."

Sir Richard Mottram had been forced to make an unprecedented personal statement on Monday saying Mr Sixsmith had agreed to resign.

But Sir Richard said the details had not been finalised before the resignation was announced by Mr Byers on 15 February.

Mr Sixsmith insists he did not agree to go in the first place and was promised no announcement would be made before he was consulted further.

Parallel departures

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, in his first broadcast interview about the row, Mr Sixsmith said Mr Byers had only agreed to accept Ms Moore's resignation on condition he went too.

"Richard told me he had spoken to Stephen Byers about this and that the decision was it had to be a symmetrical resignation."

Mr Byers was welcomed into Number 10.

Mr Sixsmith said he had only gone public with his story after talks to find a "face-saving compromise" for all involved, including Mr Byers.

Friends had warned him he would face a smear campaign but he had not believed them - now he was not too sure.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said there had been no smear campaign against Mr Sixsmith from Downing Street and described the affair as a "soap opera" and a "farrago".