Gordon Brown's stars will work for Tories

Gordon Brown's team of senior business advisers has decided to work for David Cameron if he wins the election, it emerged today.

The Business Council for Britain, launched by the Prime Minister in 2007 to advise him on economic and corporate success, decided last week it would continue its work after the election, whoever wins.

The council, dubbed Brown's "Star Chamber", contains big names such as Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy, private equity tycoon Damon Buffini and HSBC chairman Stephen Green.

Paul Walshe of drinks giant Diageo, and Andrew Witty of GlaxoSmithKline, have already welcomed the economic strategy set out by shadow chancellor George Osborne.

Such support, while falling short of an explicit endorsement, is seen as a sign that business is preparing for the election of a Cameron government.