The political future of the International Development Secretary looked far from rosy today after it was revealed that she had not turned up to vote in the crucial Commons division on foundation hospitals.

A spokesperson for Clare Short said that the minister missed the vote as the result of a simple time-keeping error. The vote had originally been scheduled for 10pm on Wednesday but was brought forward to 7pm – however, this change was made some time ago.

Over the past week, the government has faced down backbench grumbling over Iraq, the Fire Service Bill, foundation trust hospitals and asylum seekers – in addition to the 'traitor' allegations surrounding Labour MP George Galloway. But for a party whose presidential-style leadership has become synonymous with control and presentation - and which has been accustomed to near monolithic unity in the past – it has been an uncomfortable few weeks.

Indeed, so serious was the government about its public service reform programme, and so worried was Downing Street at the suspected scale of a backbench revolt on foundation hospitals, the Prime Minister warned that not to accept reform would be a "collective mistake of absolutely historic proportions".

In the end the government won its motion, and the huge rebellion did not materialise.

However, Ms Short's "time-keeping error" is sure to cool already frosty relations with the Prime Minister.

During the build up to war, Ms Short spoke out against the government's position, saying that Mr Blair was being "reckless" in his treatment of the UN and "reckless" over his political future.

She resisted demands for her resignation – most particularly in the press with the Mirror's 'Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Coward' headline – but her future on the Cabinet looks bleak now.

A reshuffle is known to be on the way after the Leader of the House, Robin Cook, resigned over the Iraq war.

His was one of three frontbench resignations on the issue.

(GMcG)