A senior Labour backbencher has reportedly accused the government of orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

Gwyneth Dunwoody is the chair of the influential cross-party Commons Transport Select Committee, which recently published a report calling the government's �180bn 10-year transport plan "incomprehensible".

It tells you more about their deep insecurity than it does about the workings of the Transport Committee

Gwyneth Dunwoody

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott accused the Labour-dominated committee and Ms Dunwoody of thrusting the "final knife into the back of former transport secretary Stephen Byers".

Ms Dunwoody told a Sunday newspaper she believed Tony Blair's subsequent decision to break up the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions is being used to undermine her position.

Last year a government attempt to replace the MP for Crewe and Nantwich was halted by a backbench rebellion among Labour MPs.

'Insecure'

But an interview for the Independent on Sunday Ms Dunwoody reportedly said: "This time they will probably succeed.

"You could get rid of me without any trouble at all because this government is able to command a very large majority and will use it even against its own leader of the House, as they demonstrated only a few weeks ago, when they think they are not getting their own way.

"This is what they did before. This is what they will do again. It is the way they work.

"It tells you more about their deep insecurity than it does about the workings of the Transport Committee."

Mrs Dunwoody reportedly adds that she was certain the government's "thread of constant worry about presentation has become more important that what people actually do".

'Close dirty tricks box'

The comments prompted another Labour MP on the transport committee, Louise Ellman, to warn that any attempt to replace Mrs Dunwoody would seem cowardly.

"I think the government would be very foolish to bring out the dirty tricks box," said Ms Ellman. "They should not be afraid of helpful criticism."

In April, former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam claimed she was "knifed in the back" by the Labour Party.

She said it was because of her popularity with voters and argued her relationship with Tony Blair deteriorated after she won a standing ovation during his keynote speech at the 1998 Labour Party conference.

Downing Street dismissed the suggestions.