DEFIANT Hazel Blears says she will not be stepping down as an MP as she faces a showdown with local party members to decide her fate.

The Salford MP quit the Cabinet, sparking accusations that she was plotting to force out Gordon Brown.

Just hours later, Labour rebels launched a bid to oust the prime minister - with up to 100 believed to be ready to sign an email calling for him to go.

Ms Blears now faces the prospect of a vote of no confidence at a meeting of her Constituency Labour Party (CLP) later this month, which would end her Parliamentary career.

But she told the M.E.N. exclusively last night: "There is absolutely no way I will step down as an MP.

"I want to be a champion for the people of Salford."

Ms Blears had earlier arrived at Piccadilly Station wearing a brooch engraved with the words `Rocking the boat'.

Senior Labour sources in Westminster said her decision to quit the government front bench on the eve of crucial European and council elections had been calculated to cause `maximum damage' to Mr Brown.

Loyal constituency officers continued to insist last night that Ms Blears would survive any bids to remove her at the meeting in two weeks' time.

But they appeared to backtrack on earlier claims that no one would dare to call a vote of no confidence.

Chairman John Cullen said: "I didn't say a vote wouldn't be called - I don't think it would get any support.

"There is terrific support for Hazel in the constituency and that remains the case."

But a senior Labour source in Salford said Ms Blears was facing `a rough ride' and would have to give `a full explanation'.

"There are three groups within the CLP," said the source. "There are those who will support whatever; those opposed to her; and those in the middle who support her at the moment - but if anything else comes out, will give her the chance to do the right thing.

"The last thing an MP wants to do is fall on a vote of no confidence at a CLP meeting, because that's the end of their career in politics. If she is contrite, she can come back.

"She will have a rough ride at the meeting, but win."

Ms Blears has been fighting for her political life since it emerged she had avoided a £13,000 capital gains tax bill on the sale of a flat in London by designating it her main home with the taxman.

At the same time, she had registered the flat as her second home, meaning she could claim against the public purse for furniture and mortgage payments. Ms Blears has since paid back the money. Mr Brown called her actions `totally unacceptable' - although he later said she had his full support.

A Commons source told the M.E.N. that rumours were rife Ms Blears was responsible for leaking news that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was also standing down. Ms Blears was said to be furious at the claims, which she denied.

Last night, she said that she intended to focus on her job as a local MP.

"Resigning from the Cabinet gives me the freedom to push for the people of Salford and be their champion," she said. "It is where I am from.

"I want to get stuck in, roll up my sleeves and be the person I am - working for Salford."

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