Blair scrambles for support on Iraq as Short threatens to quit

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair scrambled to rally support yesterday for his tough stand on Iraq as the threat of a ministerial resignation over war rocked his government.

Other government ministers closed ranks around Blair after International Development Secretary Clare Short said she would resign if Britain went to war without UN backing.

Short, a popular and plain-talking minister, attacked Blair for being politically, diplomatically and personally “reckless”. Blair responded with a stark warning on the need to show Iraq a united front, but his failure to sack Short showed how carefully he knows he must tread over an issue that has sparked the worst parliamentary revolt since he took office in 1997.