Lord Stevens is second Lib Dem to reject Brown

Gordon Brown's plans to form a government "of all talents" appeared to suffer a setback last night when it was reported that a second offer of a ministerial post has been rejected.

Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, is understood to have been offered a junior ministerial post in law and order but turned it down. The decision follows a rebuff earlier in the week from the former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown.

Earlier yesterday the chancellor had made clear he remained steadfast in his intention to bring in experts in from outside Labour in his first reshuffle next Thursday, defying his own MPs.

Brushing aside criticism of his offer to Lord Ashdown, Mr Brown hinted he would hire "outsiders"

"I want to get people of real talent and experience and expertise, not because of party labels but because they've got something to offer," he told the BBC.

He added: "I think we have a duty to draw on the best people and to get the experience and the wisdom of people who can make a contribution because they have national standing."

A spokesman for Lord Stevens declined to comment on the report that he had rejected the offer of a post. It was also reported that despite his rejection Mr Brown remained keen to find a role in his government for the peer, who left the force after 40 years of service.

In his interview, Mr Brown made an admission likely to be seized upon by critics, when he admitted the tax burden has gone up under Labour. He said tax as a percentage of national income had risen, but people supported the decision to increase NHS funding.

The Chancellor rejected the claim made by the Conservative leader David Cameron that he preferred "top-down state control" while the Tories would trust and work with people. "I have learnt a lot in the past 10 years. I have learnt that top-down, 'pulling the lever solutions' are not always the ones that are going to work best," Mr Brown said.

A poll by Populus found that 34 per cent of voters said they would have more enthusiasm for a Brown government if his cabinet included Liberal Democrat members. The research was commissioned by BBC2's The Daily Politics.

Labour MPs travelling to Manchester for the results of the deputy leadership election, to be announced tomorrow privately, were dismayed at the move.

"We challenged him at the Parliamentary Labour Party and he said he meant a government of all 'the Labour talents'. He seems to have reneged on that promise," one MP said.

The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, blocked a move by Mr Blair to recruit Mr Ashdown in 1997 by threatening to resign.

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