John Scarlett

Downing Street has given its full backing to new MI6 chief John Scarlett.

The comments came as the Liberal Democrats called for Scarlett to step aside following the Iraq dossier row.

But speaking at a Downing Street lobby briefing, a Number 10 spokesman said the prime minister still supported the decision to appoint Scarlett to the top spy post.

The prime minister's official spokesman said that Tony Blair still believed it was a "very good idea" to appoint Scarlett.

Following the Iraq dossier controversy and criticism from the Butler inquiry, the Lib Dems said the public would not have confidence in the new spy chief.

Foreign affairs spokesman Sir Menzies Campbell said the new M16 director general should stand aside.

"It seems to me that the controversy... is going to follow Mr Scarlett into this most important and significant appointment in which the public has to have confidence," he said.

"I find it very difficult to see how Mr Scarlett can command the necessary public confidence."

The senior Lib Dem MP denied that he was playing party politics with the intelligence services.

"I'm not one of those who makes ritual calls for resignations but I've come to the view that so controversial now is Mr Scarlett that the necessary element of public confidence will be lacking," he told the BBC's Today programme.

Scarlett was accused of being too close to senior Downing Street officials during the process of drawing up the Iraq weapons dossier.

His relations with Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell came under close media scrutiny.

However the Butler report said his actions in relation to the dossier should not have prevented him being promoted to head MI6.