A Labour MP has called on the party's executive committee to begin planning the handover of power from Tony Blair.

John Trickett was one of two MPs to use a meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party on Monday night to say the Labour NEC should meet within the next few weeks in the wake of indications from the prime minister that he has a timetable for stepping down in mind.

And on Tuesday the Hemsworth MP said the party needed some certainty as to what this was.

"My feeling is we need an orderly transfer and that means we need to understand the processes, procedures and timescale, so we can have an orderly and dignified process of the handover of power," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"At the moment, we are left guessing. I do think that the party, the NEC, should take the matter into their hands and reflect carefully on how this might best be managed
and that's what I asked for yesterday.

"The NEC has a duty and responsibility to look at this carefully and in an orderly way over the period of the next few weeks.

"I think it would be better if we could silence the speculation about when the timescale begins and how it will be managed. That doesn't mean that the prime minister should go in the next few weeks, simply that the NEC should begin to consider it."

Trickett argued that constant speculation over Blair's future was damaging Labour morale.

"He has now indicated very much he has a view of when he is going to go. I think there is a danger that the whole situation may become destabilising and divisive if speculation is allowed to rumble on," he added.

"Therefore, I think it would be better if in an orderly way, not immediately but shortly, if this matter begins to be discussed by the party's governing body."