Veteran Labour MP Tam Dalyell has joined calls for the prime minister's director of communications, Alastair Campbell, to be sacked.

The Labour backbencher said Mr Campbell was now a "liability" to the government.

	Funeral row Views on the row Profile: Alastair Campbell Profile: Black Rod Timeline

His words were echoed by former frontbencher Denzil Davies, amid reports of growing disquiet in the Labour ranks about Mr Blair's spin-doctor-in-chief.

Mr Campbell has come in for particular criticism over his intervention in the row over Tony Blair's role in the Queen Mother's funeral arrangements.

Mr Dalyell said his decision to go to the Press Complaint Commission (PCC) over newspaper claims that Downing Street sought an enhanced role for Mr Blair at the lying-in-state was "barmy".

While he (Mr Campbell) is there, every government attempt to turn its back on spin will be described as spin Tam Dalyell

"He should have been more relaxed about it. I don't think the Alastair Campbell of last year would have done it," Mr Dalyell said.

He said Mr Campbell's continued presence was undermining the government's efforts to clamp down on spin.

"While he (Mr Campbell) is there, every government attempt to turn its back on spin will be described as spin," he added.

'Not realistic'

The BBC's political correspondent Norman Smith said Mr Dalyell had been backed by many more Labour MPs in private.

I am sure there are those in the Labour Party who would feel that they would like to have a go at Alastair Campbell Peter Kilfoyle, Labour MP

He said one former minister said Mr Campbell had become the "Stephen Byers of spin", because what ever he did people distrusted his motives.

Labour peer Lord Desai said Mr Campbell should follow the path of Chancellor Gordon Brown's former adviser Charlie Whelan, who quit when he became the story.

Labour backbencher Louise Ellman told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "not realistic to get rid of Alastair Campbell".

But she added: "I wouldn't rule out a sideways move in few months time."

'Another scalp'

Labour former minister Peter Kilfoyle said right wing journalists - and some within the parliamentary Labour party - were out to get the prime minister's right hand man.

The idea that the defining issue of British politics at the moment is somehow who sent a memo to who ignores reality Douglas Alexander, trade minister

"There is a pack out there hunting after another scalp.

"They believe, those people involved, that they successfully removed Stephen Byers and next in line is Alastair Campbell.

"And it is stripping away people around the prime minister in order to attack the prime minister himself."

He added: "I am sure there are those in the Labour Party who would feel that they would like to have a go at Alastair Campbell."

Tories 'vacate pitch'

The government has strongly defended Mr Campbell's position.

Tam Dalyell says Mr Campbell is a liability

Commons leader Robin Cook said there was no demand or support for Mr Campbell to go.

"I totally believe he should stay and I hope he does stay," he said.

E-commerce minister Douglas Alexander denied there were growing calls for Mr Campbell to go.

"What has changed in recent weeks is the degree to which the Tory Party, traditionally the main opposition, has almost vacated the pitch in terms of policy criticism.

"It doesn't seem to have a policy agenda.

"The lead has been taken by certain Tory newspapers."

'Ignoring reality'

He said there was an "important debate to be had" about the government's relationship with the media.

But - referring to Mr Campbell's role in the row over the Queen Mother's funeral arrangements - he said: "The idea that the defining issue of British politics at the moment is somehow who sent a memo to who ignores reality.

"It leaves out the public altogether and ignores the reality that there are actually vitally important issues that deserve far stronger scrutiny."