BOLTON MP David Crausby has been reprimanded by the speaker for asking Prime Minister Tony Blair questions about the Tory party.

The red faced MP saw his moment of TV glory at Question Time, turned to ashes, when Betty Boothroyd told him off for breaking the rules, and moved on to a Tory MP before Mr Blair could answer.

The Bolton North East MP had asked the Prime Minister if he had heard the rumour that the Tories were to abandon their opposition to a National Minimum Wage.

Noting that they had forced an all night sitting on the bill to bring in this salary floor, Mr Crausby asked Mr Blair to welcome this 'grudging' change of heart. Mrs Boothroyd swiftly intervened and pointed out that questions to Mr Blair should only be about Government policy and not about issues such as the Tory Party. She made clear her displeasure to Mr Crausby, seeking to make political points and swiftly moved on to the next question from Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner.

Mr Blair did not get the opportunity to reply to Mr Crausby's question.

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