Cabinet big gun quits and knifes PM; YOU STAYING MAKES A TORY WIN MORE LIKELY: Purnell's parting shot at beleaguered Brown.

Byline: Kevin Schofield

CABINET Minister James Purnell quit last night and called on Gordon Brown to stand down as Prime Minister. The Work and Pensions Secretary twisted the knife in his resignation letter, telling Brown: "I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more, not less, likely. "I am, therefore, calling on you to stand aside to give our party a fighting chance of winning." The resignation - the third by a Cabinet Minister this week - was announced as polls closed for the European and English local elections, with Labour braced for a drubbing. Brown is expected to try to steady the ship by bringing forward a Cabinet reshuffle to today. But there are fears other ministers will go. The Prime Minister is already f a c i n g a c a m p a i g n f rom backbenchers who are desperate to see him go. As many as 75 MPs are reported to be ready to put their name to an email saying he should quit. And some have predicted that Brown will be gone by Tuesday. Purnell's resignation could be the final blow for the PM. At best, he will face a leadership contest few think he will win. At worst, the loss of authority will mean he has just days left in his job. Last night, Brown said he was "disappointed" at Purnell's resignation. A statement from Downing Street added: "Many members of the Labour Party will be deeply some unfamiliar faces at the heart of government because his options have been limited by this week's resignations. A No 10 source admitted last night: "The Prime Minister is going to make big, big changes and there will one or two surprises." Chancellor Alistair Darling, who has become embroiled in the expenses scandal, has been tipped for the axe, with key Brown ally Ed Balls lined up as his replacement. Yesterday,it emerged that Labour big gun John Reid had told Brown to quit after turning down the chance to return to the Cabinet. The pair held talks this week, during which Brown is thought to have offered Reid the chance to become Home Secretary again. Reid said he did not want to return to Government. now needs new leadership, fresh leadership. I hope that happens with Gordon Brown's blessing." But Brown loyalist Geraldine Smith said: "I am absolutely furious at the gross disloyalty of these people. "Most Labour MPs in the Parliamentary Labour Party are still backing Gordon Brown and there is a small bunch of malcontents who are out to do as much damage as possible. It is disgraceful." Surprises Brown's woes are likely to be made worse when the outcomes of yesterday's elections are known. The English council results will become clear today. The Eur o re s u l t s w i l l be announced on Sunday night. When Brown does reshuffle his Cabinet, it is likely there will be disappointed that a member of the Cabinet has chosen to announce his decision to resign to the newspapers rather than to the leader of the Labour Party." One of Brown's allies added: "We genuinely did not think Purnell would do it." Purnell was among those caught up in the MPs' expenses scandal. He was accused of not paying capital gains tax on his "second home" and claiming expenses for "tax advice" on the sale. He insisted he did not break the rules. Purnell's resignation follows that of Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and two junior ministers this week. Last night, Labour rebel Graham Allen MP said: "Events really are moving very fast. The Labour Party

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ATTACK: Purnell PRESSURE: Gordon Brown