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Lynne Featherstone takes Lib Dem Home Office job | Lynne Featherstone takes Lib Dem Home Office job |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Lynne Featherstone is to replace Norman Baker as the Lib Dem minister in the Home Office, the party has said. | 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. | 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. | Ms Featherstone worked with Mrs May in the Home Office for two years and has been a minister for international development since 2012. |
The home secretary said she was "delighted" with the appointment and said she wished Mr Baker well. | The home secretary said she was "delighted" with the appointment and said she wished Mr Baker well. |
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. | 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. |
Working in the Home Office was like "walking through mud" and a "constant battle", he said. | Working in the Home Office was like "walking through mud" and a "constant battle", he said. |
The Conservatives have disputed this and questioned Mr Baker's own performance in the job. | The Conservatives have disputed this and questioned Mr Baker's own performance in the job. |
'Talented team' | 'Talented team' |
However, both parties have insisted that the coalition will remain intact until the general election. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
As a result of the changes: | As a result of the changes: |
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said he had a "first-rate ministerial team" at his disposal. | 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. | "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." | "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." |
Analysis | |
James Landale, BBC deputy political editor | |
Norman Baker left office with a few passing shots at Theresa May's lack of collegiality, saying he was treated like a "cuckoo in the nest" at the Home Office where it was "like walking through mud". | |
He said he was resigning to take a break from all this so he could spend some more time with his family and his music. | |
Not surprisingly some Conservatives have not been slow in painting a different picture. | |
They suggest that the former transport minister resigned to defend his fragile 7,000 majority in Lewes, a battle which they allege had been claiming more of his time than the Home Office. | |
Read more from James | |
Business Secretary Vince Cable said his experience of coalition government was "very different" to Mr Baker's and said he had a "cordial, business-like relationship" with Mrs May. | Business Secretary Vince Cable said his experience of coalition government was "very different" to Mr Baker's and said he had a "cordial, business-like relationship" with Mrs May. |
Ms Featherstone said she was "very happy to be returning to the Home Office". | Ms Featherstone said she was "very happy to be returning to the Home Office". |
She added: "I have always had a very constructive relationship with Theresa May and I look forward to working with her again." | She added: "I have always had a very constructive relationship with Theresa May and I look forward to working with her again." |
Mrs May said: "I'm delighted to welcome Lynne Featherstone back to the Home Office. I greatly enjoyed working with her as a minister here at the start of the Parliament, and am glad to have the chance to do so again. | Mrs May said: "I'm delighted to welcome Lynne Featherstone back to the Home Office. I greatly enjoyed working with her as a minister here at the start of the Parliament, and am glad to have the chance to do so again. |
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Norman Baker for his work as crime prevention minister and to wish him well for the future." | "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Norman Baker for his work as crime prevention minister and to wish him well for the future." |