LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Thursday he had the full support of his cabinet, labelling a call from two former ministers for a secret Labour party ballot on his future a storm in a tea cup.

One of the plotters, former defence minister Geoff Hoon, admitted late on Wednesday that the putsch had failed.

Asked if ministers should have said more to show their support for the prime minister with just months to go before an election that ruling Labour is tipped to lose, Brown said: I think, to be honest, that is what they are saying.

I think almost every cabinet minister (came) out within an hour or two, this is a bit of a storm in a tea cup.

(Reporting by Matt Falloon and Tim Castle)

United kingdom Storm