Resignation blows hit Brown reshuffle
Updated on 05 June 2009
Gordon Brown is forced to plug the gaps in a cabinet reshuffle as the fifth Labour minister stands down.
It is not the reshaping and reinvigoration of government he intended, but Gordon Brown is making the best of the hand he has been left with following last night's shock resignation by James Purnell.
With the Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, according to sources, becoming the fifth Cabinet minister to resign, the prime minister's main concern has been to plug the gaps around the new Cabinet table.
Hoon's resignation follows John Hutton's resignation this morning. The Defence Secretary cited "family reasons" for his departure. However, he is from the Blairite wing of the party – like James Purnell, whose resignation left a vacancy at work and pensions, and Hazel Blears, who earlier quit as communities secretary.
Jacqui Smith will be replaced as home secretary by the former health secretary, Alan Johnson.
The big climb-down is the news that Alistair Darling will remain as chancellor and David Miliband as foreign secretary.
Political Correspondent, Victoria Macdonald, reports on the latest developments from Westminster.
Political Editor, Gary Gibbon, and the Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, speak to Channel 4 News about whether Gordon Brown should be sacrificed to save the Labour Party from extinction.
