WORLD> Europe
Brown starts cabinet reshuffle in UK
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-03 20:29

LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has started a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday, with a few posts already rumored to change hands.

Sky News revealed that EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is to return to the government, a surprising move to many, as the new Business Secretary.

Business Secretary John Hutton is reportedly to replace Des Browne as Defense Secretary, while Geoff Hoon will replace Ruth Kelly who announced her resignation earlier during the Labour Party Conference, as Transport Secretary.

Current Defense Secretary Des Browne is to leave the government, said the report.

Former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett is tipped to return to the cabinet, while former cabinet minister Nick Brown is also expected to return as chief whip, to replace Geoff Hoon.

The Prime Minister's office announced on its website on Friday saying Brown is "in the process of making changes to the Cabinet, " but has not given any detail so far.

Brown has been rumored to start his cabinet reshuffle after the Labour Party Conference last week.