Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser has accused the two former Labour cabinet ministers, who have called for a secret ballot on Gordon Brown’s leadership, of arrogance.

In a letter, Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt called on Labour MPs to back a secret ballot to set the matter to rest once and for all.

Mr Prosser said they were trying to sow the seeds of dissent that would topple Mr Brown.

He admitted: "It is damaging and they [Hewitt and Hoon] should know it. Geoff Hoon was chief whip and and has often preached to me and other backbenchers the virtue of loyalty on issues of Government policy. It is just arrogance."

"They are trying to tell us that this is nothing to do with unseating Gordon and will clear the issue up before the election. It is doomed to fail."

In their letter, the former cabinet ministers write that a ballot could be done "quickly and with minimum disruption" and would allow the party to "go forward".

Thanet South MP Dr Steve Ladyman denounced the move, saying the timing of the letter was ridiculous and warning it risked demoralising the party.

He said: "I do not think there is a rift and a need to clear the air. There was a debate about the leadership in the summer and neither Patricia Hewitt or Geoff Hoon said anything at that time. If they had back then, I might have a bit more time for them."

"There is no viable alternative to Gordon Brown and the timing of the letter is quite ridiculous. We have effectively started the general election campaign and I doubt whether there are more than half a dozen MPs who think that this is the time for a leadership election."

The move is a serious blow to Labour as even if the ballot does not take place it will raise questions over Mr Brown.