Ed Miliband received yet more bad news today after poll claimed that only 13 per cent of the public believe he is ready to govern.

The news comes as former Prime Minister Tony Blair publicly backed the beleaguered leader, saying in a fraught interview with Sky News that the current Labour leader had his “full support”.

Mr Blair’s declaration for support may be scant comfort to Mr Miliband as the Ipso-MORI poll results, published today, indicate that the Labour party is facing its lowest levels of support since the final days of Gordon Brown’s leadership.

Even among Labour supports Mr Miliband is unable to muster a clear approval – 58 per cent admit they are “dissatisfied” with his leadership so far in the poll for the Evening Standard.

In another knock to Mr Miliband, the overall percentage of the electorate who approve of his leadership has slipped below that of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Show all 18 1 /18 In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal The beggar Ed Miliband casually gives money to a homeless woman in Manchester, surrounded by press photographers. In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal The Bacon Sandwich Ed Miliband buys a bacon sandwich from cafe owner Antonios Foufas at New Covent Garden Market in London as he kicks off a day of campaigning on the eve of the local and European elections In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal The Bacon Sandwich Ed Miliband chats with a cafe owner Antonios Foufas at New Covent Garden Market in London In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal The Bacon Sandwich Ed Miliband embarked on a whirlwind campaign tour of England - but struggled at the first hurdle (a bacon sandwich). Aides intervened after just a few less-than-elegant bites Jeremy Selwyn In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Flower Shopping Ed Miliband talks with a couple of traders at New Covent Garden Market in London In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Flower Shopping Ed Miliband purchases some red roses for his wife at New Covent Garden Market in London In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Talking Business Ed Miliband talks with a trader at New Covent Garden Market in London In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Good Morning Britain Miliband on ITV's Good Morning Britain show on 20 May 2014, a day of gaffes in which he was also caught out by BBC Wiltshire for not knowing who the local Labour leader was In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal '£70 Weekly Shop' Ed was accused of being 'out of touch with reality' after he seemed not to know what he - or the average British family - spends on a weekly food shop PA In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal The Nick Clegg Broadcast Ed Miliband took a (mis?)calculated risk with a recent political broadcast containing a satirical attack on a shrunken, naked Nick Clegg – but no details of Labour policies Getty In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Drop in Polls Ed Miliband paid a visit to Leighton Hospital in Crewe to speak with the staff about the NHS, but faced difficult questions about polls showing his personal ratings falling well behind those David Cameron and George Osborne PA In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal On the Sofa with Farage Ed Miliband appeared on the Andrew Marr Show to debate with Nigel Farage - but has all but conceded defeat in the Newark by-election, allowing Ukip a free run at the Tories BBC In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Wollies in Wellies Miliband was among a number of politicians to come under fire for 'touring' the floods in the South and South West earlier this year PA In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Wollies in Wellies The Labour leader admitted it was 'a difficult decision for politicians whether to visit areas like this' In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Missed Opportunity Miliband's performance at the Labour conference last year failed to make much of an impression on voters, polls suggested Getty Images In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Sharing the Moment Miliband, Nick Clegg, David Cameron and Angus Robinson enjoy their moment with Andy Murray, after the tennis player's Wimbledon win Getty Images In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal Casual Husband Miliband and his wife Justine are pictured in their hotel room in Brighton as he prepares to give his keynote speech to the annual Labour Party Conference Getty Images In pictures: Ed Miliband trying to look normal The Milibands Just your average family of four? Getty Images

While only 26 per cent are satisfied with Mr Clegg, Mr Miliband has lost four points and is languishing on 21 per cent.

Mr Blair, who is currently in Sierra Leone supporting his foundation battling Ebola, appeared frustrated the questions were turning around the Labour leader.

The former PM met Mr Miliband on Remembrance Sunday, however, he claimed to Kay Burley that he had not discussed Mr Miliband’s leadership woes, adding: “That’s what leadership is about and I am sure he is tough enough to take it.”

“Honestly, I have had these things a thousand times and I’ve always said that he has my full support,” he said.

The poll results will round off an already dire news week for Mr Miliband - and potentially overshadow a vitally important 'fight back' speech scheduled for tomorrow.