Conservative requests for a Commons statement on Tony Blair's role in the Queen Mother's funeral were yesterday rejected by Downing Street.

"Since nobody has produced any facts which support allegations that officials behaved improperly, we do not believe a statement is necessary," a spokesman said.

Tory party chairman David Davis called for the statement after a report in the Mail on Sunday claimed that Black Rod faced "sustained and constant pressure" to change plans for the funeral to give the prime minister a more prominant role.

Labour MPs have spoken out against Black Rod, Sir Michael Willcocks, although Downing Street declined to comment.

Halifax MP Alice Mahon called for his dismissal if there was any evidence of his involvement in a political dispute.

Writing in the Daily Mirror, the Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson describes the debacle as a "pointless fuss".

An NOP poll for the Channel 4's Powerhouse programme reveals that 64 per cent of people, including 46 per cent of Labour supporters, consider Labour to be "as sleazy as the Tories".