BELEAGUERED Stephen Byers was under further pressure last night over his role in the "spingate" controversy after the Conservatives tabled a motion of censure in the Commons against the Transport Secretary.

Shadow leader of the Commons Eric Forth used the most potent Parliamentary weapon against an individual minister by tabling the motion - forcing an emergency debate about whether Mr Byers misled Parliament in February by saying his press chief, Martin Sixsmith, had resigned when he had not.

Mr Sixsmith is, in fact, leaving his post at the end of this month by mutual agreement.

The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) refused to confirm reports that Mr Byers is to make a statement about the affair to the Commons today.

Conservatives have voiced their anger that the North Tyneside MP has not appeared in the Commons to make a statement.

The DTLR confirmed the Transport Secretary had been in a meeting with the Speaker, Michael Martin, earlier yesterday but insisted it was "in the normal course of duty, out of Parliamentary courtesy".

A spokesman said: "No decision has been made at this point (about a statement). The House will be informed first."

The latest twist to the saga follows Tuesday's admission by Mr Byers' own department that his statement to MPs in February that Mr Sixsmith had resigned had been wrong.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tony Blair defended his Cabinet minister against accusations that Mr Byers had misled Parliament.

Mr Byers told MPs time and again on February 26 that Mr Sixsmith had resigned from his post at the DTLR.

But Mr Blair told MPs at question time yesterday: "I don't accept that people were misled at all."

Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith had asked the Prime Minister: "Why is the Transport Secretary still in his job?"

Mr Blair replied: "It was clear the Secretary of State had been told Mr Sixsmith had agreed to resign. It was equally clear that Mr Sixsmith disputed that he had resigned.

"Therefore, the parties were not in agreement.

"Therefore, there had to be negotiation. Terms have now been agreed and he has indeed departed.