Deputy deals a serious blow to Blair

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott went public with deep reservations about one of Blair's key reform proposals in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

The blow was all the more significant as party heavyweight Prescott has been a staunch Blair loyalist. His comments could strengthen rebels planning a damaging defeat for Blair when the proposals come to a vote expected in February.

"I'm not totally convinced major reform is necessary," Prescott said of the plans to create elite city academies and allow successful schools more freedom to run themselves.