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| 'Proud' Mandelson back in cabinet | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Peter Mandelson has said he is surprised but "proud" to be drafted back into the cabinet as business secretary. | |
| The EU trade commissioner was twice forced to resign from Tony Blair's cabinet - speaking in Downing Street he said it was "third time lucky". | The EU trade commissioner was twice forced to resign from Tony Blair's cabinet - speaking in Downing Street he said it was "third time lucky". |
| In other moves, John Hutton replaces Des Browne as defence secretary. | |
| Labour veteran Margaret Beckett gets housing and Ed Miliband heads up a new climate and energy department. | Labour veteran Margaret Beckett gets housing and Ed Miliband heads up a new climate and energy department. |
| Geoff Hoon replaces Ruth Kelly, whose resignation as transport secretary triggered the reshuffle. | Geoff Hoon replaces Ruth Kelly, whose resignation as transport secretary triggered the reshuffle. |
| CABINET MOVES Peter Mandelson - business Margaret Beckett - housing Geoff Hoon - transport Des Browne resigns Ed Miliband - climate/energy John Hutton - defenceJim Murphy - Liam Byrne - cabinet officeCaroline Flint - Europe minister LIVE TEXT - Cabinet reshuffle In quotes: Reshuffle reactionThird time lucky, says Mandelson In full: Cabinet reshuffle | |
| Immigration minister Liam Byrne has been promoted to the new role of policy coordinator, not a full cabinet role but he will attend cabinet meetings. Mrs Beckett will replace Caroline Flint as housing minister. Ms Flint will go to the Foreign Office as Europe minister. | |
| Defence Secretary Mr Browne is to leave the government after turning down two job offers from Mr Brown. | Defence Secretary Mr Browne is to leave the government after turning down two job offers from Mr Brown. |
| Former agriculture minister, and close Gordon Brown ally, Nick Brown returns as chief whip, to replace Mr Hoon. Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Ashton, will replace Mr Mandelson in Brussels. | Former agriculture minister, and close Gordon Brown ally, Nick Brown returns as chief whip, to replace Mr Hoon. Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Ashton, will replace Mr Mandelson in Brussels. |
| 'Ups and downs' | 'Ups and downs' |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn are expected to remain in their current posts - as are those in the top jobs, chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary. | Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn are expected to remain in their current posts - as are those in the top jobs, chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary. |
| The reshuffle is taking place after the announcement that Ms Kelly is to stand down to spend more time with her family. Trade minister Lord Jones has also said he wants to step down. | The reshuffle is taking place after the announcement that Ms Kelly is to stand down to spend more time with her family. Trade minister Lord Jones has also said he wants to step down. |
| The announcement that Mr Mandelson was to return to the cabinet came as the biggest surprise. | The announcement that Mr Mandelson was to return to the cabinet came as the biggest surprise. |
| This is an extraordinary step backwards into the worst elements of the Blair era, to reinstate possibly the most divisive figure in Labour's recent history John McDonnellLeft wing Labour MP Profile: Peter MandelsonBrowne quits cabinetBusiness hails Mandelson return | This is an extraordinary step backwards into the worst elements of the Blair era, to reinstate possibly the most divisive figure in Labour's recent history John McDonnellLeft wing Labour MP Profile: Peter MandelsonBrowne quits cabinetBusiness hails Mandelson return |
| The former Northern Ireland and trade and industry secretary said he was not expecting to be asked but was looking forward to the challenge. | The former Northern Ireland and trade and industry secretary said he was not expecting to be asked but was looking forward to the challenge. |
| Reporters suggested his feud with Mr Brown had been one of the frostiest periods in modern politics, he replied: "Well I think you're exaggerating to make a point. | Reporters suggested his feud with Mr Brown had been one of the frostiest periods in modern politics, he replied: "Well I think you're exaggerating to make a point. |
| "But of course we've had our ups and downs but we have also known each other for over 20 years and originally we worked very well together and I am very proud to have been invited to serve in his government." | "But of course we've had our ups and downs but we have also known each other for over 20 years and originally we worked very well together and I am very proud to have been invited to serve in his government." |
| He said Mr Brown was doing "an exceptionally good job in what are very, very challenging conditions for our country". | He said Mr Brown was doing "an exceptionally good job in what are very, very challenging conditions for our country". |
| There have been tensions between Mr Brown and Mr Mandelson for years, since the two men fell out when Mr Mandelson backed Tony Blair for the Labour leadership in 1994. | There have been tensions between Mr Brown and Mr Mandelson for years, since the two men fell out when Mr Mandelson backed Tony Blair for the Labour leadership in 1994. |
| Sarkozy row | Sarkozy row |
| But at the height of a row between Mr Mandelson and French President Nicholas Sarkozy over international trade talks this summer, the prime minister backed the trade commissioner, saying he was doing "excellent work". | But at the height of a row between Mr Mandelson and French President Nicholas Sarkozy over international trade talks this summer, the prime minister backed the trade commissioner, saying he was doing "excellent work". |
| Mr Brown will be keen to draw on his global finance experience gained during his four years as EU trade commissioner. | Mr Brown will be keen to draw on his global finance experience gained during his four years as EU trade commissioner. |
| Mr Mandelson has been a controversial figure, resigning twice from cabinet posts - once over a loan from his ministerial colleague Geoffrey Robinson and once over allegations of misconduct over a passport application for the Hinduja brothers. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing. | Mr Mandelson has been a controversial figure, resigning twice from cabinet posts - once over a loan from his ministerial colleague Geoffrey Robinson and once over allegations of misconduct over a passport application for the Hinduja brothers. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYBrown has lost his marbles if he thinks that bringing Mandelson back will give him credibility Tim, WirralSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYBrown has lost his marbles if he thinks that bringing Mandelson back will give him credibility Tim, WirralSend us your comments |
| Former home secretary David Blunkett described his appointment as a "masterstroke" and told the BBC it would unite the government. | Former home secretary David Blunkett described his appointment as a "masterstroke" and told the BBC it would unite the government. |
| "It is embracing someone who, in the past, had been seen as being very close to Tony Blair, so it's an inclusive measure," he said. | "It is embracing someone who, in the past, had been seen as being very close to Tony Blair, so it's an inclusive measure," he said. |
| "It's someone who's got a tremendous breath of political experience and I think that adds to the weight of the cabinet." | "It's someone who's got a tremendous breath of political experience and I think that adds to the weight of the cabinet." |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw said Mr Mandelson would fit the job as business secretary "like a glove" and the appointment showed, after "a few wobbles over the summer ... the whole party is getting behind Gordon". | Justice Secretary Jack Straw said Mr Mandelson would fit the job as business secretary "like a glove" and the appointment showed, after "a few wobbles over the summer ... the whole party is getting behind Gordon". |
| But left wing Labour MP John McDonnell said he was "absolutely gobsmacked": "This is an extraordinary step backwards into the worst elements of the Blair era, to reinstate possibly the most divisive figure in Labour's recent history." | But left wing Labour MP John McDonnell said he was "absolutely gobsmacked": "This is an extraordinary step backwards into the worst elements of the Blair era, to reinstate possibly the most divisive figure in Labour's recent history." |
| The Conservatives described it as a "stunning failure of judgment" by Mr Brown. | The Conservatives described it as a "stunning failure of judgment" by Mr Brown. |
| Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "In bringing back Peter Mandelson - the man who created Labour spin - he has broken his promise to govern in an honest and open way." | Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "In bringing back Peter Mandelson - the man who created Labour spin - he has broken his promise to govern in an honest and open way." |
| He added: "By leaving in place a chancellor who has failed and a foreign secretary who has undermined him at every opportunity Gordon Brown has also been exposed as weak." | He added: "By leaving in place a chancellor who has failed and a foreign secretary who has undermined him at every opportunity Gordon Brown has also been exposed as weak." |
| For the Liberal Democrats, Danny Alexander said: "Resurrecting ex-ministers from the political graveyard is not going to breathe new life into Gordon Brown's zombie government." | For the Liberal Democrats, Danny Alexander said: "Resurrecting ex-ministers from the political graveyard is not going to breathe new life into Gordon Brown's zombie government." |
| In a separate development, Sir John Bond, the chairman of Vodafone, is to become a "business ambassador" for the government. | In a separate development, Sir John Bond, the chairman of Vodafone, is to become a "business ambassador" for the government. |
| Mr Brown's press secretary and special adviser for media affairs, Damian McBride, is to to take a "more back room role" and will no longer speak to the media on the government's behalf. Government officials stress it was his decision. | Mr Brown's press secretary and special adviser for media affairs, Damian McBride, is to to take a "more back room role" and will no longer speak to the media on the government's behalf. Government officials stress it was his decision. |