PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice is in deep trouble with the Labour leadership for launching an attack on party leader Tony Blair's dictatorial style of party management.

Mr Blair is said to be furious after being shown a copy of Monday's Evening Telegraph which carried a report of Mr Prentice's support for critics who branded the Labour leader as "autocratic."

Mr Prentice backed Newport West MP Paul Flynn who claimed Tony Blair was turning Labour into a pseudo Tory party.

Mr Blair has ordered chief whip Donald Dewar to take immediate action.

What precise steps will be taken over Mr Prentice's statement will be decided tonight. He could even be carpeted by Mr Blair himself.

At the very least the left wing MP will be told by North West regional whip Joe Benton that his comments were unwise and damaging to the Labour Party.

It will be made clear that he should not repeat the offence and that such outbursts severely damage any chances of him attaining ministerial office in a Labour government.

One source said: "He can expect a very severe dressing down at the very least."

Mr Prentice declined to comment today but one of his allies on the left wing of the party said he was unrepentant about telling the truth about Mr Blair's dictatorial style.

Another senior source within the Labour party said: "Mr Prentice will not be allowed to get away with this."

On Monday Mr Prentice said: "I think Paul Flynn is absolutely right.

"MPs have lost control of party policy."

Mr Prentice said Mr Blair made policy by statement and would have to learn to listen to MPs.

He added: "A lot of people are very concerned about this, and I include myself among them."

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