UK Labour leader Harman makes Democrat gaffe

London, Sept.20 : A deputy leader of Britain's ruling Labour party, has made a fresh diplomatic gaffe by backing the Democrats in the US elections.

Harriet Harman risked a new row with Republican candidate John McCain by saying she would never vote for his deputy Sarah Palin. She also broke political convention by saying she admired Democratic policies and Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Commenting on Palin, she said: "I don't agree with her politics. But I think that she has touched a nerve and I think that then places a big challenge to the Democrats to make sure that they, as a party which has long championed equality and equality for women, that they actually match them and gear up their act."

"I don't agree with her politics. I wouldn't vote for her if I was in the States but I think that she is impressive. But I would rather see the Democrats getting, you know, an even more impressive woman right up at the front," she was quoted as saying in a BBC program.

Harman made her boob just days after Gordon Brown was forced to clarify his position after appearing to back the Democrats.

He wrote in a magazine last week: "In the electrifying US presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating the ideas to help people through more difficult times."

Harman's outburst will infuriate diplomats who are desperate to keep channels open with both Presidential candidates.

It will be seen as a lack of discipline at a crucial time for the government.

ANI