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| Ken Clarke to quit government in cabinet reshuffle | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Veteran Conservative MP Ken Clarke is to step down as a minister as David Cameron begins his cabinet reshuffle. | |
| Mr Clarke is quitting his role as a minister without portfolio, BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson says. | Mr Clarke is quitting his role as a minister without portfolio, BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson says. |
| Mr Clarke, who first became an MP in 1970, held a number of top cabinet positions under Margaret Thatcher and John Major including home secretary and chancellor of the exchequer. | |
| In other moves, David Jones has been sacked as Welsh Secretary. | In other moves, David Jones has been sacked as Welsh Secretary. |
| Mr Jones took on the role two years ago, having previously been a junior minister in the Welsh Office. | |
| The prime minister is now in the House of Commons where he is thought to be seeing other ministers who will be leaving the government. | |
| A list of those Conservatives leaving the coalition government is expected to be released later on Monday. | A list of those Conservatives leaving the coalition government is expected to be released later on Monday. |
| During his 44 years in the Commons Mr Clarke has spent more than 20 years as a minister. | During his 44 years in the Commons Mr Clarke has spent more than 20 years as a minister. |
| The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Clarke has told friends that at the age of 74 he has had enough of red boxes and "enjoyed three days at last week's Test Match in anticipation of today's announcement". | The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Clarke has told friends that at the age of 74 he has had enough of red boxes and "enjoyed three days at last week's Test Match in anticipation of today's announcement". |
| He became justice secretary in 2010 and has held his current role since 2012. | He became justice secretary in 2010 and has held his current role since 2012. |
| Mr Clarke, who was chancellor between 1993 and 1997, has stood for the Conservative leadership three times, missing out narrowly on two occasions. | Mr Clarke, who was chancellor between 1993 and 1997, has stood for the Conservative leadership three times, missing out narrowly on two occasions. |
| He was one of the most pro-European voices at the top of the Conservative Party. | He was one of the most pro-European voices at the top of the Conservative Party. |
| The prime minister is expected to use the reshuffle to promote more women within the ministerial ranks. | |
| Tuesday's scheduled cabinet meeting has been cancelled amid suggestions that the prime minister will announce who will be joining his top team. |