Mr Tony Blair's deputy revived speculation today about the troubled British prime minister's future by hinting there was a chance Mr Blair may not lead the Labour Party into the UK's next general election.
The comments by Mr John Prescott come just days after he kicked off a political storm when he acknowledged publicly that Mr Blair could bow out early and said "plates appear to be moving" around the prime minister in preparation for a seismic shift.
"I am convinced...from my talks with Tony, of course, that he would like to lead us into that election," Mr Prescott told reporters today in reference to an expected 2005 ballot.
"But he always considers events, events, events."
"There is no doubt that if Tony Blair is leading us, as I believe he will, we will win the election," he added.
Political commentators seized on Mr Prescott's reference to "events" and use of "if" - a word hitherto taboo among party faithful - to reignite the premiership debate.
Speculation about an end to the Blair era after seven years in power has mounted as the prime minister's public trust and popularity ratings have plummeted in the wake of the Iraq war.
That has led some in his Labour Party to conclude the man who was once their best electoral asset may be turning into a liability and that Labour may stand a better chance of staying in office with finance minister Mr Gordon Brown at the helm.
Mr Blair has vowed to serve a full third term if he is re-elected but Mr Prescott's interventions - whether gaffes or spoken with intent - have sparked dismay among commentators.