Clare Short is to be called before the chief whip to explain her decision to breach the Official Secrets Act in her revelations over British spying at the UN.

The former international development secretary will be asked to "reflect upon her activities and take a step back" from criticising the government when she meets with Hilary Armstrong.

But Tony Blair is reported to be reluctant to "make a martyr" of the ex-Cabinet minister who resigned over the reconstruction of post-war Iraq.

The Mail reports that secretary general Kofi Annan has asked for talks with Britain's ambassador to the UN in a bid to win further reassurances on bugging at the New York building.