Stephen Byers, the industry secretary, was yesterday accused of "intimidatory tactics" and "suppressing freedom of speech" by warning bookshops not to stock Tom Bower's controversial book on the former paymaster general, Geoffrey Robinson.
Ian Chapman, managing director of the book's publishers, Simon & Schuster, criticised the action by Mr Byers' solicitors in sending warning letters to distributors.
"I think it is quite an unusual step for a member of the government which has incorporated the freedom of speech provisions of the European convention on human rights into English law."
His warning came after one book chain, WH Smith, decided not to stock the book, The Paymaster, for fears of an injunction or writ from the government. Waterstones initially said it would not be selling the book, but then announced that it had changed its mind and would now be selling the volume.
The book claims that Mr Robinson misled MPs over his financial connections with crooked tycoon Robert Maxwell. The spectre of legal action hangs over the volume, and solicitors acting for Mr Byers have sent warning letters to distributors.
Mr Byers is furious about allegations that he "covered up" the findings of a secret DTI inquiry into Mr Robinson's former and now bankrupt company, Hollis Industries.
A WH Smith spokeswoman said yesterday: "We have decided to take it off the shelves while we seek further legal advice. It is a temporary measure." But a spokeswoman for Waterstones said it was now satisfied sales could go ahead.
Mr Chapman told BBC Radio 4's World at One that his company was standing by the author's claims and had no intention of climbing down.
"The Daily Mail and ourselves are standing as one. We utterly stand by the contents of the book and by our author.
"There is no question that this book will not be published or distributed today ... and we will defend any action against us vigorously."
Under Treasury rules Mr Byers will have to notify parliament's financial watchdog, the national audit office, if he decides to issue writs against booksellers or sues the Daily Mail.
