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Lynne Featherstone takes Lib Dem Home Office job | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Lynne Featherstone is to replace Norman Baker as the Lib Dem minister in the Home Office, the party has said. | |
Mr Baker quit on Monday, saying he found it a "constant battle" working with Home Secretary Theresa May. | |
Ms Featherstone worked with Mrs May in the Home Office for two years and has been a minister for international development since 2012. | |
In other Lib Dem ministerial changes, Jenny Willott and Mark Hunter have also left the government. | |
Mr Baker criticised the way Mrs May ran her department and accused the Conservatives of a "lurch to the right" after stepping down as minister for crime prevention. | |
The Conservatives have disputed this and questioned Mr Baker's own performance in the job. | |
'Talented team' | |
However, both parties have insisted that the coalition will remain intact until the general election. | |
Mr Baker's departure has prompted a mini-reshuffle with Ms Featherstone returning to the department where she worked between 2010 and 2012. | |
Her job at international development has been taken by Baroness Northover. In other changes, two other MPs - Jenny Willott and Mark Hunter - have left their positions as government whips. | |
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said he had a "first-rate ministerial team" at his disposal. | |
"The Liberal Democrats are extremely fortunate to have a large number of talented people on our benches ready to step into their shoes," he said. | |
"Lynne Featherstone has been an exceptional minister over the last four and a half years and returns to the Home Office, where her tough but liberal approach will be invaluable." |