Bookmaker cuts odds on Britain's Brown being ousted

LONDON (Reuters) - British bookmaker William Hill cut the odds for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to be out of office before the next general election from 6/4 to 6/5 after a second cabinet minister resigned on Wednesday.

"Even though Mr. Brown is still slightly favored to survive the crisis, punters only want to back him to go at the moment," said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Brown was still backed to lead Labour into a general election due within a year -- with odds of 8/13 to be in charge when Britain goes to the polls.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson is 6/4 favorite to succeed Brown as Labour leader.

Spread betting company Cantor Index offered 11/8 for Brown to go within 30 days, and 2/5 for him to resign before the next election.

(Additional reporting by Dominic Lau)