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Kelly to step down from Cabinet Kelly to step down from Cabinet
(10 minutes later)
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has told the prime minister that she plans to step down from government.Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has told the prime minister that she plans to step down from government.
She will leave the cabinet at the next reshuffle, which a Downing Street source says may see chief whip Geoff Hoon made a European Commissioner.She will leave the cabinet at the next reshuffle, which a Downing Street source says may see chief whip Geoff Hoon made a European Commissioner.
It could take place next Friday after the Conservative party conference.It could take place next Friday after the Conservative party conference.
Meanwhile, Gordon Brown is set to head to New York for talks with world leaders on the economic crisis after Labour's conference comes to an end.Meanwhile, Gordon Brown is set to head to New York for talks with world leaders on the economic crisis after Labour's conference comes to an end.
Bolton West MP Ms Kelly was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Gordon Brown took over as prime minister. She had previously been education secretary. Bolton West MP Ms Kelly was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Mr Brown took over as prime minister. She had previously been communities secretary and the education secretary.
There had been speculation the 40-year-old mother-of-four could leave the government because of her objections to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.There had been speculation the 40-year-old mother-of-four could leave the government because of her objections to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
She is very happy in her job as Transport Secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children Labour Party source Ruth Kelly profileShe is very happy in her job as Transport Secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children Labour Party source Ruth Kelly profile
But she is said to be denying reports her decision had anything to do with the Bill.But she is said to be denying reports her decision had anything to do with the Bill.
A party source said: "It is not true to say that [she] has resigned.A party source said: "It is not true to say that [she] has resigned.
"She has told the Prime Minister she intends to step down at the next Cabinet reshuffle, purely for family reasons."She has told the Prime Minister she intends to step down at the next Cabinet reshuffle, purely for family reasons.
"She is very happy in her job as Transport Secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children.""She is very happy in her job as Transport Secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children."
Mr Hoon, meanwhile, the MP for Ashfield, refused to say whether he has discussed the issue of a reshuffle with Mr Brown.Mr Hoon, meanwhile, the MP for Ashfield, refused to say whether he has discussed the issue of a reshuffle with Mr Brown.
A former Member of the European Parliament, he is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson in Brussels.A former Member of the European Parliament, he is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson in Brussels.
Mr Hoon told the BBC: "I have not had a discussion specifically relevant to me.Mr Hoon told the BBC: "I have not had a discussion specifically relevant to me.
"What would actually be by far the best solution, if it is possible, would be for Peter Mandelson to remain in post."What would actually be by far the best solution, if it is possible, would be for Peter Mandelson to remain in post.
"I've certainly had discussions along those lines.""I've certainly had discussions along those lines."
In New York, the prime minister will be speaking to other leaders at the United Nations general assembly.In New York, the prime minister will be speaking to other leaders at the United Nations general assembly.
Although most discussions will be about the Millennium Development Goals, he will also use the visit to raise the banking crisis with fellow world leaders.Although most discussions will be about the Millennium Development Goals, he will also use the visit to raise the banking crisis with fellow world leaders.
Huge pressureHuge pressure
The visit comes after one of Mr Brown's most personal and important speeches to Labour's annual conference in Manchester.The visit comes after one of Mr Brown's most personal and important speeches to Labour's annual conference in Manchester.
In what was seen as an attack on David Cameron and critics of his leadership, the Prime Minister insisted that now was "no time for a novice".In what was seen as an attack on David Cameron and critics of his leadership, the Prime Minister insisted that now was "no time for a novice".
He also said he would steer the country through the current financial crisis.He also said he would steer the country through the current financial crisis.
BBC Political correspondent Rita Chakrabarti said Mr Brown appears to have bought himself time after Tuesday's speech.BBC Political correspondent Rita Chakrabarti said Mr Brown appears to have bought himself time after Tuesday's speech.
Gordon Brown is due to discuss the global economyGordon Brown is due to discuss the global economy
She said the prime minister had been under "huge pressure" to deliver a good performance and the general view among delegates was that he pulled it off.She said the prime minister had been under "huge pressure" to deliver a good performance and the general view among delegates was that he pulled it off.
In his speech, Mr Brown said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".In his speech, Mr Brown said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".
In a more personal conference address than normal, Mr Brown said he had been "stung" by criticism of his decision to scrap the 10p tax rate and vowed he would never again be accused of not being on the side of "hard working families".In a more personal conference address than normal, Mr Brown said he had been "stung" by criticism of his decision to scrap the 10p tax rate and vowed he would never again be accused of not being on the side of "hard working families".
Mr Brown reasserted his authority over the party by telling Labour rebels to focus on challenges facing the country not internal party rows.Mr Brown reasserted his authority over the party by telling Labour rebels to focus on challenges facing the country not internal party rows.
The conference will come to a close with speeches by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman.The conference will come to a close with speeches by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman.