Brown fails to end snap poll talk

Mr Brown took over as prime minister in June

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has again refused to rule out an imminent general election, but has said he is focusing on “getting on with the job”.Asked to rule out an October election, he said there was “a time and a place” to discuss elections – this was not it.

Mr Brown was asked a number of times to rule out an autumn election during his second prime ministerial news briefing.

He also said Britain would continue to “discharge our responsibility” on Iraq, after troops left central Basra.

On Monday 550 UK soldiers completed a withdrawal from central Basra to join 5,000 troops at an airbase outside the city, taking up an “overwatch” role.