Brown clings on as horse-trading begins

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown fired the starting pistol on a round of horse-trading over a coalition administration today as he asked the head of the civil service to provide support to parties engaged in discussions on the formation of a government.

In a statement issued by 10 Downing Street, Mr Brown left no doubt that he is not intending to step down as Prime Minister as a result of Labour losing its majority in Parliament in yesterday’s election.