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Brown's cabinet meets in Durham Brown's cabinet meets in Durham
(about 4 hours later)
Gordon Brown and his minsters are in Durham for the latest in a series of cabinet meetings held outside London. Gordon Brown is holding his first Cabinet meeting in a school during a visit by his ministers to Durham.
Politicians will gather in the city later, ahead of a series of engagements in the North East. The prime minister was shown round the £24m Durham Johnston School on Thursday by pupils who gave up part of their half-term holiday.
These include an expected visit by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson to Redcar's Corus plant, where 1,600 jobs are under threat. Security was tight at the school in the Crossgate Moor area of the city, with a strong police presence outside.
It comes as the Conservatives accuse Labour of using the taxpayer-funded trips for electioneering. The Conservatives have accused Labour of using the taxpayer-funded regional Cabinet meetings for electioneering.
Tory MP Douglas Carswell has suggested Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman breached ministerial rules on a recent cabinet visit to Exeter by discussing election strategy with party activists and union officials. Mr Brown looked impressed with the modern facilities at the 1,500-pupil school on the outskirts of Durham City.
The cabinet "awaydays" cost taxpayers an estimated £100,000, and ministerial rules stipulate that public money must not be used for political or electioneering events. Officially opening the school, he said: "It is the first time the Cabinet has ever met in a school. It is the first time the Cabinet has ever met in the North East.
Local conference "I am very pleased to do so at what is an absolutely brilliant school. It is a real privilege for us to be here."
But in a statement Ms Harman's office said all of her travel complied with the ministerial code. The prime minister watched chemistry students carry out an experiment using Bunsen burners, then chatted to year nine pupils in the library.
It said: "When the cabinet meets outside London, Ms Harman as a member of the cabinet travels to the cabinet meeting.
"She also attends the Public Engagement meeting, which takes place prior to cabinet outside London and involves voluntary organisations, businesses and statutory agencies.
"As party chair she also takes the opportunity to meet with Labour Party members outside London."
Ministers will gather for the ninth "awayday" meeting after a series of engagements, including visits to Newcastle, Hartlepool and Darlington.
There will also be a round-table conference for local representatives to discuss issues with ministers.
Mr Brown introduced the idea of holding the meetings outside Westminster in September 2008, when Birmingham hosted the first such regional gathering since 1921.Mr Brown introduced the idea of holding the meetings outside Westminster in September 2008, when Birmingham hosted the first such regional gathering since 1921.