



John Prescott accused the press of acting like "judge, jury and executioner", while Clive Soley MP called on the Press Complaints Commission to tear up its code because of its failure to act.





Clive Soley: Demanding PCC becomes proactive

"At the moment sex sells newspapers and if it means breaking the code they will break the code," Mr Soley told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.





"The problem is the PCC is not proactive - it doesn't pick up the phone and say, Mr Hall [News of the World editor] you have breached the code."

Sun defends 'gay mafia' claim

The row is further inflamed by the decision of The Sun newspaper to print a front page editorial asking if the UK is run by a "gay mafia".





He said: "I cannot see how you reach that conclusion. We have said all along that there is nothing wrong with being homosexual.

"But those who make decisions relating to our lives and laws should be more open about whether they are homosexual."

He insisted there was a risk gay ministers would work together and the public had a right to know their sexuality before they voted on subjects such as the lowering of the age of consent.

Mr Kavanagh claimed one in four cabinet ministers are gay: "There would be a story in the same way if you had four members who were all Etonians."

Prescott: Money behind allegations





"At the end of the day, I assume this story came out because someone was offering money."





John Prescott: Rejects idea of parliament protecting public figures

He added that he welcomed the largely supportive editorials regarding Mr Brown in many of Monday's newspapers.

"But there is a balance in this and at the moment some of the editors have decided the balance is more towards selling papers than what is right."





Nick Brown: Forced to admit to being gay after a newspaper contacted Downing Street

"I think there is a problem in the press at the moment where they see themselves as the opposition because they don't see the Conservatives as doing their job properly at the moment," he said.

PCC waiting for complaint

The PPC chairman, Lord Wakeham, said he wanted to talk to Mr Brown personally before deciding whether to take action.

In a statement, he said: "As I do from time to time when individuals are at the centre of a media story, I will be contacting him to see if he wishes to make a complaint to the PCC or not.

"If he does, and is prepared to co-operate with an investigation, then I will deal with the complaint immediately according to our standard procedures.

"Clearly, if Mr Brown chooses not to co-operate, then the PCC cannot conduct a fair and even-handed investigation under the code."