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14/03/2005
Boateng appointed High Commissioner to South Africa
Paul Boateng will become the next High Commissioner to Pretoria, South Africa, the government has announced.
Mr Boateng, who was Chief Secretary to the Treasury and MP for Brent South, will quit his parliamentary seat to take up the appointment if Labour are re-elected at the next general election, which is widely anticipated to take place on May 5.
Mr Boateng, who was the first black cabinet minister, will succeed the previous High Commissioner, Ann Grant.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr Boateng said: "I am honoured to be asked to take on this role, especially as it comes at such an integral time for our relationship with South Africa and the African continent. There shall be many new challenges and opportunities ahead and I look forward to embracing them with great anticipation."
Paul Boateng first entered parliament as MP for Brent South in 1987. Following Labour's win in the 1997 election, he was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, before being appointed as Minister of State and then Deputy Home Secretary at the Home Office. He was made Financial Secretary to the Treasury following the 2001 election and in 2002 was appointed to his current position in the Treasury.
Commenting on Mr Boateng's appointment, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Paul has been both a valued colleague and a trusted friend for many years. He has made an immense contribution to public life in Britain and I am delighted that he has agreed to continue that service to the people of Britain, by acting as their representative in South Africa. He will make an outstanding High Commissioner, building on the work of his predecessor and working with the South African government to ensure that the priorities of the Commission for Africa are carried forwards.
"Paul's professional and personal experience of Africa and his close involvement in the British government's international development agenda will ensure that the close friendship that binds our two nations will be strengthened and deepened."
(KMcA/SP)
Mr Boateng, who was Chief Secretary to the Treasury and MP for Brent South, will quit his parliamentary seat to take up the appointment if Labour are re-elected at the next general election, which is widely anticipated to take place on May 5.
Mr Boateng, who was the first black cabinet minister, will succeed the previous High Commissioner, Ann Grant.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr Boateng said: "I am honoured to be asked to take on this role, especially as it comes at such an integral time for our relationship with South Africa and the African continent. There shall be many new challenges and opportunities ahead and I look forward to embracing them with great anticipation."
Paul Boateng first entered parliament as MP for Brent South in 1987. Following Labour's win in the 1997 election, he was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, before being appointed as Minister of State and then Deputy Home Secretary at the Home Office. He was made Financial Secretary to the Treasury following the 2001 election and in 2002 was appointed to his current position in the Treasury.
Commenting on Mr Boateng's appointment, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Paul has been both a valued colleague and a trusted friend for many years. He has made an immense contribution to public life in Britain and I am delighted that he has agreed to continue that service to the people of Britain, by acting as their representative in South Africa. He will make an outstanding High Commissioner, building on the work of his predecessor and working with the South African government to ensure that the priorities of the Commission for Africa are carried forwards.
"Paul's professional and personal experience of Africa and his close involvement in the British government's international development agenda will ensure that the close friendship that binds our two nations will be strengthened and deepened."
(KMcA/SP)
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South Africa power ahead in test series
England have crashed to a 191-run defeat in the fourth npower test match to leave South Africa 2-1 ahead in the series. Overnight watchmen Mark Butcher and Andrew Flintoff, the remnants of the home side's frontline batting order, were both dismissed within two overs – the rest of the team followed them back to the pavilion within an hour.
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SMEs encouraged to bid for government contracts
Two pilot schemes were launched today to make it easier for SMEs owned by ethnic minorities to gain access to government contracts. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng outlined details of the pilots in the West Midlands and Haringey, North London, when he addressed the Ethnic Minority Business Forum in London.
SMEs encouraged to bid for government contracts
Two pilot schemes were launched today to make it easier for SMEs owned by ethnic minorities to gain access to government contracts. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng outlined details of the pilots in the West Midlands and Haringey, North London, when he addressed the Ethnic Minority Business Forum in London.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
