The PM Disappears After Afghan Criticism - Again

What a difference a day makes in politics. Yesterday there was an air of "mission accomplished" surrounding the release of Stephen Farrell, an Anglo-Irish journalist with the New York Times, from four days of captivity with the Taliban. However, the battle for Mr Farrell's release came at a price, four fatalities including a British Serviceman and an Afghan journalist. The Prime Minister was quick to release a statement, full of platitudes and stoic references claiming, in essence, that no one will be left behind. No one.

However, as more facts emerge today from Mr Farrell's ordeal, including his blog account, the clear delineation of Mr Brown's statement begin to blur. The successful attempt to free Mr Farrell was, in fact, the second attempt and the decision to send in the troops was made by the Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth. A purely political decision...

In addition, there is growing unrest in Afghanistan concerning the conduct of the British troops who attempted the rescue, there are many claims of racism and inconsideration of the Afghan people. It has also emerged that the local Afghan authorities were in the process of negotiations with the Taliban, and are increasing frustrated with NATO's brash tactics.

It is obvious that both David Miliband and Bob Ainsworth driving motivation was the safe release of Mr Farrell. But also a defining factor that led them into ordering a fatal rescue attempt was that if Mr Farrell had appeared in the future, still a captive, in a orange jumpsuit surrounded by the Taliban or Al Qaeda. They knew that the war would be a lot harder to justify to a impatient public...

There is a familiar pattern emerging here - when there is a possibility to bask in the reflected glory of a sports team, Gordon Brown is incredibly quick to respond, however, any criticism that requires an immediate response there is tumble weed rolling outside 10 Downing Street.

MIA - Purnell, Miliband and Johnson

With the creeping certainty that Gordon Brown will not survive the year, his main rivals for the leadership of the Labour Party have been notable by their absence. Messages from Geoff Hoon, Jacqui Smith and Andy Burnham have been ringing in the ears of any reporter willing to listen. But where is Alan Johnson's, James Purnell's and David Miliband's support for the ailing PM.

Unsurprisingly their voices are not to be heard, they are waiting in the wings, waiting for the opportunity to begin a contentious leadership battle. With the BBC reporting that the Gordon Brown 'must go letter' has received the support of 80 Labour MPs, it is now inevitable that there will be a leadership challenge.

Either that, or Gordon Brown has undertaken a Stalinist Purge to eliminate all his rivals. But I suppose that would be too decisive. His rivals would have a chance to pack, have a leaving do and exchange their money before fleeing the country.

Home Secretary latest odds...

The initial odds for the Home Secretary position are

Alan Johnson 3/1	David Miliband 12/1	Hilary Benn 20/1
Alistair Darling 7/2	Ed Miliband 12/1	Jack Straw 20/1
Shaun Woodward 11/2	John Hutton 14/1	Harriet Harman 20/1
John Denham 6/1	David Blunkett 14/1	John Reid 33/1
Ed Balls 7/1	John Cruddas 18/1	Andy Burnham 33/1
James Purnell 8/1

The best odds are probably David Miliband at 12/1 or James Purnell at 8/1. It would make a lot of sense for Gordon Brown to place his closest rivals for the leadership of the Labour Party in the one department where the Sword of Damocles hangs over all its residents and falls eventually.