Britain's cabinet reshuffle revealed

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-05 23:30

British Defence Secretary John Hutton (L) receives a briefing on the L115-A3 Sniper Rifle by Marine Nick Taylor and Sgt. Kevin McBain of the 42 Commandos for the Royal Marines at Camp Roberts near Kandahar Air Field Jan. 20, 2009. [Xinhua]

LONDON -- Britain's Defense and Health Secretaries are to change hands in the on-going Cabinet reshuffle as Prime Minister Gordon Brown moves to reassert his authority in the government.

Sky News reported on Friday that Defense Secretary John Hutton is standing down as member of parliament (MP) for family reasons. Former Heath Secretary Alan Johnson will replace Jacqui Smith as Home Secretary.

Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, who had been rumored to lose his office as a result of the expenses scandals, will stay.

On Thursday night, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell made a bombshell move by announcing to resign for the good of the Labor Party. He said that he no longer had confidence in the prime minister.

On Wednesday, Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears stepped down over the expenses scandal which found her not paying capital gains tax when selling another property on which she had claimed the parliamentary second homes allowance.

Brown has been under great pressure to step down as MPs are reportedly collecting signatures for his removal and Conservative Party leader David Cameron has been calling for an immediate general election.

As the results of Thursday's English local elections are coming out, Labor Party is suffering serious blow. Brown's cabinet reshuffle is viewed as a desperate move to regain voters' confidence and his authority and strength in the government.

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