The deputy leader of the Government has used a trip to Leicester to deny rumours that she is plotting to force out Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Harriet Harman was in Leicester yesterday for the launch of Labour's Vote 2009 Black and Asian campaign bus in the run-up to the county council and European elections on June 4.

In recent days, she has been dogged by speculation that – with Labour trailing to the Conservatives in national polls – she is manoeuvring to become the next PM, but she told the Leicester Mercury she did not wish to speculate where the rumours had come from.

She said: "There is not a shred of truth in it. I do not know who or where it has come from.

"I am hoping that everybody will have the same views that I have – Gordon Brown is a man I admire greatly."

Over the next few months, Cabinet members and key Labour politicians will travel across the country to meet with different communities.

A major part of the campaign will be to tackle the problem of many people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds not being registered to vote in the June elections.

She said: "These are difficult times for people and we are listening to how people feel the recession is affecting them.

"The stakes could not be higher – democracy simply doesn't work unless people can exercise their vote. Every vote counts."

Mrs Harman met residents and owners of businesses off Uppingham Road, with Leicester East MP Keith Vaz.