Brown Backs Wendy

Feb 17 2008 By Mark Aitken

GORDON BROWN has backed embattled Wendy Alexander for the first time since she was cleared of taking illegal donations.

The Prime Minister even said new tax powers would be examined in her review of the Scottish Parliament's powers.

Asked about the Scottish Labour leader, he said: "She has had my support, has my support, will continue to have my support."

"I think Wendy Alexander will turn out to be a great leader."

Alexander sparked fury among some Labour MPS over her Constitutional Commission to investigate more powers for Holyrood.

Some feared it played into the hands of the SNP.

At at the height of the probe into illegal donations, Brown downgraded her plan to a "review" - with Whitehall firmly in charge.

But asked about more tax powers, he said: "This is what any review should look at. Nobody should pre-judge it."

Last night former First Minister Jack McConnell also backed the review.