More questions about Brown’s eyesight emerge
By politics.co.uk staff
Cabinet minister have rallied to the prime minister’s defence after more rumours emerged about his eyesight.
It transpires that Gordon Brown’s retinas had two minor tears, leading to a resurgence of concern about his health.
But Downing Street, which took the unusual decision to release the check-up details, insisted there had been no further deterioration.
“After examinations surgeons found that the retina had two minor tears. However, as there has been no further deterioration, and no change in his eyesight, they decided against further operations,” a spokesman said.
“Mr Brown visited Moorfields hospital as part of regular checks on his eyes and this check was also fine.”
The continued debate follows an interview with Andrew Marr two weeks ago in which the BBC journalist asked the prime minister if he took medication. The question – a furiously debated on internet message boards but one which had not featured on broadcast or broadsheet coverage, prompted an angry response from Mr Brown and Peter Mandelson.
The Conservatives have been equally robust in their criticism of the line of questioning, with shadow defence secretary Liam Fox suggesting the questioning of his eyesight was “unkind”.
For the government, Yvette Cooper, work and pensions secretary, and Alan Johnson, home secretary, backed the prime minister.
“He will fight,” Mr Johnson told the Andrew Marr show. “He is fit and well and able and determined and energetic.”
