Robin Cook is leading a cabinet revolt over controversial government plans to reform the House of Lords.

The Commons leader and other senior ministers are backing compromise proposals which would see between 40 and 60 per cent of peers being elected in a reformed second chamber.

The reform plans will hit a major setback today when the Lib Dems back Tory proposals to create an 80 per cent elected senate - although the parties hold different views on the length of tenure and the mode of election.