´óÏó´«Ã½

1640

Employment minister Tony McNulty has resigned from the Government, it was
announced tonight.
end

1600:

Gordon Brown news conference now expected around 1630

1545

Margaret Beckett is no longer housing minister. She has not been given another ministerial job

1542

COPY FROM NICK ROBINSON

Geoff Hoon has agreed to be the Prime Minister's European policy adviser ahead of the Climate Change talks in Copenhagen at the end of the year.

He is to advise the Prime Minister on co-ordinating economic, environment, energy policy amongst EU member states

He will also now serve on the NATO high level strategic review as a former defence secretary.

it is known that Mr Hoon would like to be an EU commissoner if there is a vacancy at the end of the year.
1535

from James Landale

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has learned that Liam Byrne is to be the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

1508:

from James Landale

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ understands that Douglas Alexander is expected to remain as Secretary of State for International Development.

We have also learned that the new Culture Secretary - replacing Andy Burnham - will be Ben Bradshaw.

1503:

PA:

Peter Hain is to return to the Cabinet as Welsh Secretary, he said today.

1500

We expect a Downing Street news conference before we are on air.

1450:

COPY FROM NICK ROBINSON

Sources at the Department of health have told the ´óÏó´«Ã½ that the former minister of state, Andy Burnham will be the new Health Secretary.

1420:

MBNK copy from james landale

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has learnt that Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister has been promoted to Defence Secretary to replace John Hutton. Mr Ainsworth, a former whip is close to the Chief Whip and close Brown ally, Nick Brown.

1355

Reuters: Former British health secretary,
Alan Johnson, confirmed on Friday he was being moved to the home
office (interior ministry) in a cabinet reshuffle and threw his
support behind Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
"I want them (the voters) to think highly of me as a home
secretary in a Labour government serving under the prime
minister," Johnson told Sky News in an interview.
"I do genuinely believe...that actually Gordon is the best
person for this job. Absolutely the best person for this job,"
he said, referring to the leadership.
Political analysts have mentioned Johnson as a possible
successor to Brown if the prime minister is ousted.

1315

The former Labour minister Mark Fisher has told The World At One that in spite of his reshuffle this morning Gordon Brown should resign as soon as possible : "Now it is quite clear that there is no stability in Government whatsoever. The time is right for him to stand down". Mr. Fisher said he would like to see a caretaker government ( Alan Johnson "would do a very good job") and that after "a period of stability" there should be a General Election.

1300

Extended World at One on the air.

1243

From James Landale

The bbc has learnt that Ed balls is to remain in his post as secretary of state for Children Schools and Family.

1225
from john pienaar

Sources say that Yvette Cooper is expected to become the new Work and Pensions Secretary. This has not yet been officially confirmed.

1217

From Danny Shaw, home affairs corr

Statement by the Joint MPS/CPS Assessment Panel on Parliamentary Expenses

Over the past two weeks the joint Metropolitan Police Service and Crown Prosecution Service assessment panel has met on a number of occasions and has considered a large number of allegations about the alleged abuse of expense claims in both the Lords and the Commons and whether any criminal investigations should be launched.

Their initial work has been to gain a full understanding of the procedures for expense claims through engagement with the Resources Department of the House of Commons and the Finance Department of the House of Lords (each colloquially known as the Fees Office).

The panel's view is that, unless evidence is available which shows individuals deliberately misled the fees office, it is highly unlikely that there could be a successful prosecution. Many of those complained about appear to have provided accurate information and therefore the MPS will not pursue a criminal investigation into allegations against them.

It is for the Commons and the Lords authorities to decide whether they wish to consider these cases under their internal processes and should information come to light that indicates that either Fees Office has been deliberately misled, then they will be able to make a referral back to the MPS for further consideration.

However, there are a small number of allegations where questions remain about the probity of the claims which will require further information before any decisions regarding investigations could be made. We are therefore continuing to liaise with Parliamentary Authorities in the two Houses over the provision of this additional information so the assessment panel can make informed decisions on these remaining allegations.

1214

Statement from Scotland yard coming very soon about ongoing investigation into Mps expenses and allowances.

Danny Shaw
home affairs corr

1208

The Labour MP and former Foreign Office minister, Meg Munn, insisted it was time for Gordon Brown to go:

"I have been around my constituency in the last few weeks, I've been talking to local party members and the general view is that Gordon Brown is not offering us the leadership that we need. He started off very well as Prime Minster, he's done a great job on the economy -- but the other issues are not being put across well. We're not seeing the sort of leadership which I think this country now needs".

1203 PA:

John Denham is to replace Hazel Blears as Communities Secretary, sources said.

1133

Mbnk
copy from jo coburn

Sources say that John Denham is expected to be the new health secretary.

1130

John Hutton has told ´óÏó´«Ã½ that he is not standing down for family reasons. He has decided to retire as a member of Parliament at the next election and feels that it is only fair that his successor as candidate has time to prepare for the next election.

He says he is not resigning because he's in any way against the Prime Minister.

1038 Alan Johnson:
" Gordon brown is an excellent leader of our party . He is an excellent prime minister...He's doing a good job "

1021

COPY FROM NICK ROBINSON

John Hutton is standing down as Defence Secretary and is leaving the Cabinet but is making it clear that he is backing Gordon Brown's continued leadership. Friends say that he has been genuinely been considering this for many weeks and told Gordon Brown that he wanted to step down sopme weeks ago.

1017:

From James Landale

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has learned that Jim Murphy will remain as Scotland Secretary.

Mr Murphy is the latest minister pledging his loyalty saying, ' Gordon Brown is the right man for the job.

1015:

London Evening Standard "revised" front page:

BROWN SURVIVES SHUFFLE DRAMA

CHANCELLOR KEEPS HIS JOB AS WOUNDED PM STAVES OFF REVOLT IN THE CABINET
RIVAL BALLS LOSES OUT ON PROMOTION
JOHNSON IS NEW HOME SECRETARY
MILIBAND STAYS AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE

1014:

Millbank Advisory:

The former Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, writing on his blog has criticised the former Work and Pensions Minister James Purnell for resigning from the cabinet. He said he is "Not so much a Blairite as a careerite".

1011

From Mike Sergeant, Millbank

Political sources confirm Sir Alan Sugar has been offered a job as an enterprise tsar in Gordon Brown's government. They stress this is not a ministerial role, but is expected to come with a peerage. .

This has not yet been officially confirmed by Downing Street. Sources close to Sir Alan say he'll accept the job.

1003: .
PRESCOTT: HARMAN TO BLAME FOR LABOUR'S 'NON-CAMPAIGN'
By Daniel Bentley, Press Association Political Correspondent
John Prescott has launched a stunning assault on Harriet Harman, his successor
as deputy Labour leader, over the party's poor performance in the local and
European elections.
The former deputy prime minister blamed Ms Harman and other Cabinet ministers
for Labour's "non-campaign" and accused them of being "resigned to defeat".
He also singled out elections co-ordinator Douglas Alexander, Europe minister
Caroline Flint and former Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears for heavy
criticism.
Mr Prescott warned that the party should not blame the results solely on the
expenses scandal but also on senior ministers' "dereliction of duty".
In a blog entry on the Labour Home website, he complained that the leadership
"lacked the will to fight" yesterday's elections.
"The people responsible for this non-campaign - and make no mistake there was
no campaign - were Harriet Harman, Caroline Flint, Douglas Alexander and yes,
our former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears," he wrote.
"I kept asking the party what was the strategy, what was our message, what was
the campaign? I became so concerned I actually wrote to Harriet. Her reply was
less than satisfactory."
He added: "It seems the people responsible for our campaign were resigned to
defeat and were prepared to use the excuse that we had no money."
He said Ms Blears' resignation in "a blaze of publicity" on Wednesday
"typified" Labour's campaign.
"Time after time, activists across the country told me there was no message,
no campaign and no leadership from the party."
Mr Prescott defended Gordon Brown, saying the Prime Minister should have had
more support from those around him.
"You could say as leader of the party, Gordon should take ultimate
responsibility," he said.
"But he has one of the toughest jobs in Britain and has to be able to rely on
colleagues to lift the load of campaigning. I did it for Tony (Blair). But it
doesn't happen now.
"We have a deputy leader, a campaign co-ordinator, ministers responsible for
Europe and local government.
"They should have all been driving the campaign forward, leading the party
nationally and locally."

1000:

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said the Prime Minister's mood was
"very strong, very resilient".
"It's almost when things are at their toughest that you see the real mettle of
this person," he said.
He said he had not, so far, been moved from the Northern Ireland Office.

0959

POUND HAMMERED BY POLITICAL INFIGHTING
By Kelly Macnamara, Press Association City Staff
The pound took a further hammering today as savage political infighting
destroyed confidence in the UK currency.
Sterling has dived to 1.60 US dollars, from the seven-month high of more than
1.66 dollars seen earlier this week as Prime Minister Gordon Brown lost his
fifth minister in three days.
The pound has collapsed against the euro at a similar rate, falling to a low of
just below 1.13 euros - a drop of around 3.5% since Wednesday.
Analysts blamed the political turmoil for the loss of confidence in sterling,
with fears over a Labour poll drubbing adding to the sense of disquiet caused by
a spat within the party.

0952

SOURCE: SKY POOL FEED

The Business Secretary Lord Mandelson believes the Labour party could "implode" unless the party's MPs get behind the Prime Minister. Lord Mandelson gave the warning as he issued a rallying cry for party unity following the resignation of the third cabinet minister in three days. The Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell is the latest minister to go. In his resignation letter Mr Purnell called on the Prime Minister to step down too. Lord Mandelson has said he "very much regrets" Mr Purnell's decision. And he gave a pointed reminder to Labour MPs that unity had been crucial to the party's three consecutive general election victories:

0948:

Paul Flynn, the Labour MP for Newport West told Good Morning Wales on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Wales that Labour needs a "fresh voice and a fresh face" leading the party.

He says that the mood amongst the backbenchers is that it's time for a change. Brown has been "heavy handed and inconsistent" in dealing with the expenses scandal and allowed Cameron / Clegg to steal a march on him.

Flynn went on to say that the Labour Party must not make the same mistake today as they did in 1983 when they allowed Michael Foot to remain as party leader.

While he paid tribute to Gordon Brown's commitment and contribution to the party, he said that his gifts of persuasion are not obvious.

´óÏó´«Ã½ WALES NEWSROOM

0948

David Milliband has spoken outside his London home

He says he stands by the Prime Minister, he's dismayed by James Purnell's decision and and statement. He also says James Purnell is a well regarded colleague but he disagrees with his conclusions and with the letter he sent to Prime Minister. He goes on to say it is time for government to stick together and provide what the people want policy-wise.

Newsdesk

0944

From James Landale

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ understands that Peter Mandelson is expected to remain as Business Secretary

0941
By James Tapsfield and Daniel Bentley, Press Association Political Staff
Gordon Brown's make-or-break reshuffle was in full swing today in the wake of
James Purnell's shock resignation.
The threat to the Prime Minister appeared to recede after sources confirmed
that Alan Johnson had accepted a move from Health Secretary to Home Secretary.
Chancellor Alistair Darling will remain in his post despite speculation that Mr
Brown wanted to shift him elsewhere. Sources also indicated that Jack Straw will
stay as Justice Secretary.
mfl

0927
"London Evening Standard first edition front page

DARLING FIGHTS OFF BROWN AXE

Joe Murphy Political Editor

BROWN'S LAST CHANCER RESHUFFLE DESCENDS INTO CHAOS AS CHANCELLOR REJECTS TWO OTHER JOBS AFTER SHOCK RESIGNATION OF PURNELL,
THE QUESTION NOW GRIPPING WESTMINSTER IS: WHO'S NEXT?"

0925: From Iain Watson

"one of the organisers of the round robin e-mail calling for the prime minister to go has said the early reshuffle has made their tactics 'far more difficult' - they may delay until after council election results are known and 'may not send the letter around at all.'"

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?