I'll back Blair on fees, says leading rebel

Tony Blair appeared to have turned the tide in his tuition fees battle today by winning over the leading Labour rebel.

Former chief whip Nick Brown, seen as the ring leader of the revolt, said concessions meant he could now back the British government.

Many of his fellow rebel backbenchers were expected to follow the former Cabinet minister’s lead in tonight’s Commons vote.

Mr Brown told the Guardian Unlimited website: “The concessions that the government have made are good enough for me.

“I’ll be supporting the government tonight.”