No 10 fails to back sleaze case minister

The political future of Trade Minister Nigel Griffiths is in deep doubt today after Downing Street conspicuously refused to come to his defence.

Mr Griffiths is under pressure after revelations that he failed to declare £40,000 he claimed in rent allowance for an office in Edinburgh that he owned outright. The money was reportedly used to help his autistic sister.

In an extraordinary twist, No10 revealed that Mr Griffiths, the minister responsible for small businesses, is now, belatedly, asking the Commons authorities whether he has broken the rules.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was "an unusual and complicated situation". He said the facts must be established before he could comment in any detail. Asked whether Tony Blair had confidence in Mr Griffiths, the spokesman said only that Mr Blair had confidence in all his ministers.

Tories and the Scottish National Party are writing to outgoing Commons Standards Commissioner Elizabeth Filkin demanding an investigation.

Mr Griffiths, MP for Edinburgh South, said he was " confident" that he would be cleared of wrongdoing.

However, the sleaze controversy threatens to claim the first ministerial scalp of Labour's second term.