Two-thirds want Clarke to go

Populus have published the first opinion poll on the future of Charles Clarke as Home Secretary. The poll, conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, found that 63% of respondents thought that Clarke should resign over the failure to deport foreign prisoners after their sentences, 32% thought he should stay.

A second poll, by ICM for Newsnight, shows 64% want Clarke to resign, while 25% want him to stay. Amongst Labour supporters opinion is more evenly split - 45% would like him to go, 47% would like him to stay. There is better news for John Prescott - only 37% think he should resign, 57% think he should stay.