A series of ministers appear set to defy the prime minister tonight and vote in support of a largely-elected second chamber.

MPs and peers vote separately on plans to overhaul the upper chamber - and the final results could prove embarrassing to Tony Blair.

The leader of the Commons, Robin Cook, has expressed outright opposition to the prime minister's preferred option of appointing all members of the reformed chamber.

Ministers set to vote against Blair include Charles Clarke and Patricia Hewitt.

Aides to ministers say the issue is a free vote and dismissed claims that their actions will be tantamount to disloyalty.

But some MPs are said to be viewing the vote as an opportunity to register wider discontent with the prime minister.

Tony Blair will fly back from the Anglo-French summit in Le Touquet to take part in the votes, reports the Guardian.