Did Blair mean Brown would be champion boxer?

London, Nov 17: British ministers squabbled today over who in government packed a knockout punch after Prime Minister Tony Blair predicted his successor would have a ''big clunking fist''.

Blair, who plans to step down next year, said yesterday his Labour Party's new leader would be a ''heavyweight'' who would box ''lightweight'' Conservative Party leader David Cameron out of the ring at the next election.

That left ministers and parliamentarians scratching their heads as to who was the government's biggest bruiser.

Much of Britain's media concluded Blair had endorsed as his successor long-standing rival Chancellor Gordon Brown, recognised as one of the government's most experienced hands.

But Blair today refused to confirm he was referring to Brown.

One minister said the prime minister had definitely backed Brown, while another declined to second that view.

Yet to declare his intentions on Labour's leadership is Home Secretary John Reid, a Blair loyalist who is often dubbed as the cabinet tough guy, or enforcer.

''I have decided to say nothing more about it. People will always interpret these things but I think I have said all I want to say on it for the moment,'' Blair said in an interview broadcast on his Downing Street office's Web site.

Although Blair has said Brown would make an excellent prime minister, he has repeatedly declined to endorse him, prompting speculation he would prefer an ally to stand.

Blair taunted Cameron in parliament yesterday: ''However much you may dance around the ring, at some point you'll come within the reach of a big clunking fist. You will be out on your feet, carried out of the ring.'' Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott would be an obvious candidate for biggest hitter. He learned to box when he went to sea as a teenager and once punched a protester on the election trail. He has said, however, he will step down with his boss.

Reuters