Brown set to complete Cabinet reshuffle

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is due to complete his ministerial appointments today following Thursday's dramatic reshuffle of the cabinet.

Deputy leadership contender Jon Cruddas is reported to have turned down the offer of a government job from Mr Brown. Mr Cruddas, a backbencher, came third in the deputy leadership contest, which was eventually won by Harriet Harman. The job that was reportedly offered to Mr Cruddas is not known.

On Friday afternoon, it was announced that Sir Alan West, the former first Sea Lord who is not a member of the Labour Party, has been made Home Office Security Minister.

Lord Stevens has been appointed as the international security adviser to the Prime Minister. Baroness Neuberger and Lord Lester will be appointed as advisers on volunteering and constitutional reform respectively.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed on Friday that Clare Short, who became an independent MP last year after quitting the government in 2003 over the Iraq war, has hinted at a return to the party.

One of the outside appointments - minister for trade promotion - has as expected gone to former CBI chief Sir Digby Jones.

Professor Sir Ara Darzi has been appointed as health minister in charge of patient care.

Thursday's Cabinet reshuffle saw the departure of John Reid, Patricia Hewitt and Margaret Beckett, as Home Secretary, Health Secretary and Foreign Secretary, respectively.

Jacqui Smith became the first female Home Secretary, while David Miliband became Foreign Secretary and Alan Johnson, the runner-up in the deputy leadership contest, took over the Health Secretary post.

Alistair Darling took over as Chancellor, while Peter Hain remained Welsh secretary, but relinquished his role as Northern Ireland secretary to become Work and Pensions Secretary.

Shaun Woodward took over as Northern Ireland Secretary.

Jack Straw became the new Justice Minister, Hilary Benn moved to Environment and Ruth Kelly became Transport Secretary.

Harriet Harman, Labour's new deputy leader, became the leader of the House of Commons, while Tessa Jowell assumed control of the Olympics, James Purnell became Culture Secretary and Geoff Hoon became Chief Whip.

Des Browne remained in charge of Defence, while Hazel Blears moved to Communities.

Mr Brown also created three new departments: the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which John Hutton will take charge of; a department for Children, Schools and Families which will be headed by Ed Balls; and a department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, which will be overseen by John Denham.

There are a number of middle-ranking and junior ministerial posts yet to be announced.

(KMcA/SP)