David Blunkett has called for the rival camps around the prime minister and chancellor to "swim in unison".

The former home secretary, who is returning to frontline politics during Labour's election campaign, warned that the party would "sink rapidly" if it appeared divided.

Asked on ITV1's Jonathan Dimbleby programme whether the supporters of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown should stop warring, he replied: "Well those are your words. I think swim in unison.

"Let’s have everyone understanding that we sink rapidly together as... we swim together."

Blunkett also said that events surrounding his resignation had been an ordeal, and accepted he had partly brought it on himself.

He said that he had "never ducked the question of me having taken responsibility and I've never blamed other people for the situation that I’m in".

"I made a choice and I stand by it," Blunkett said.