Johnson: Not seeking Labor leadership

LONDON, May 3 (UPI) -- British Health Secretary Alan Johnson, the darling of some anti-Gordon Brown Labor Party members, says the current prime minister is best for the country.

Calling him a "man for these times," Johnson told the BBC Sunday that Brown is "better than me or anyone else" as prime minister, and adding, "I've no aspiration for the leadership."

The comments came as former London Mayor Ken Livingstone said Johnson could "probably do better" than Brown against the Conservative Party in the next election and the Mail on Sunday reported some Labor Party leaders were plotting to push the health minister to replace Brown.

Asked by the BBC if he would launch a bid for the leadership, Johnson said, "I am not saying there's no circumstances," but he added, "I have no aspiration for the leader. My aspiration was for the deputy leadership and I couldn't even get that. I am not driven by this ambition. I want to be part of a good government and I want it to be led by Gordon Brown."

Johnson said he admired Brown "tremendously. I think he is a man for these times."