Mr Brown has been chancellor since 1997

Sir Gerald Kaufman told the epolitix website that if Labour won the next election it was "inevitable" the chancellor would be moved from his job.

"Whether he'd accept any other position, who can tell? You'd have to ask him, I don't know his mind, I've never discussed it with him," he said.

The Blair/Brown relationship has long been the subject of media interest.

'Excellent chancellor'

The two men have been close political allies for years but their partnership is seen by many as somewhat volatile.

Sir Gerald is chairman of the Commons culture select committee

After the death of leader John Smith in 1994 Mr Brown is thought to have allowed Tony Blair a clear run at the leadership in a deal hammered out at the now legendary meal at Granita restaurant in Islington.

In his interview Sir Gerald said: "The prime minister will do whatever he wants to do and I think it is inevitable that Gordon Brown will be moved out of the Treasury.

"If we win the next election he will have been chancellor for eight years.

"He's an excellent chancellor but eight years is a very long time to be in that job."