Menu
16/09/2008
Scotland Minister Resigns From Government
Minister for Scotland David Cairns has resigned from Gordon Brown's government, Downing Street has confirmed.
The news comes amid the Labour party's refusal to send out leadership nomination forms.
The party's National Executive Committee has dismissed rebel MPs requests for nomination papers, with high profile ministers urging members to show a united front.
So far 12 MPs have challenged the Prime Minister to a leadership contest, including an assistant whip, a party vice chair and a special envoy, who have all since resigned, or been removed, from their posts.
Media speculation had been mounting all day that Mr Cairns would be the first prominent Labour member to call for a leadership change.
Mr Cairns was said to be undergoing "a crisis of conscience", prior to his decision.
Earlier reports had suggested Defence Secretary Des Brown was deployed to gauge Mr Cairns' position.
A Downing Street spokesman has since confirmed: "The Prime Minister has accepted David Cairns' resignation. The exercise of government demands collective responsibility."
The news comes ahead of the Labour party conference, due to be held in Manchester next week.
Under party rules, Labour rebels would need to get the support of 70 MPs to prompt a challenge to Mr Brown's leadership.
The Prime Minister is in Northern Ireland today, holding talks with the devolved assembly at Stormont.
(PR/JM)
The news comes amid the Labour party's refusal to send out leadership nomination forms.
The party's National Executive Committee has dismissed rebel MPs requests for nomination papers, with high profile ministers urging members to show a united front.
So far 12 MPs have challenged the Prime Minister to a leadership contest, including an assistant whip, a party vice chair and a special envoy, who have all since resigned, or been removed, from their posts.
Media speculation had been mounting all day that Mr Cairns would be the first prominent Labour member to call for a leadership change.
Mr Cairns was said to be undergoing "a crisis of conscience", prior to his decision.
Earlier reports had suggested Defence Secretary Des Brown was deployed to gauge Mr Cairns' position.
A Downing Street spokesman has since confirmed: "The Prime Minister has accepted David Cairns' resignation. The exercise of government demands collective responsibility."
The news comes ahead of the Labour party conference, due to be held in Manchester next week.
Under party rules, Labour rebels would need to get the support of 70 MPs to prompt a challenge to Mr Brown's leadership.
The Prime Minister is in Northern Ireland today, holding talks with the devolved assembly at Stormont.
(PR/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 September 2008
Embattled PM Faces Online Disgruntlement
Rumbles of Labour discontent have been felt on the party's website - proving the Prime Minister has fallen out of favour with grass root supporters. An online poll has suggested embattled Labour leader Gordon Brown faces strong opposition from members logging onto Labourhome.org - a forum for party followers.
Embattled PM Faces Online Disgruntlement
Rumbles of Labour discontent have been felt on the party's website - proving the Prime Minister has fallen out of favour with grass root supporters. An online poll has suggested embattled Labour leader Gordon Brown faces strong opposition from members logging onto Labourhome.org - a forum for party followers.
17 May 2007
Brown 'humbled' by Labour support
Chancellor Gordon Brown has said that he was "truly humbled" by the support he received from the Labour party, after he secured enough nominations to become party leader without a leadership contest.
Brown 'humbled' by Labour support
Chancellor Gordon Brown has said that he was "truly humbled" by the support he received from the Labour party, after he secured enough nominations to become party leader without a leadership contest.
29 September 2005
NHS plan defeat for Labour party leadership
The Labour Party leadership has suffered an embarrassing defeat over proposals to increase private company involvement in health care. Unison leader David Prentis accused the Labour Party of "government by diktat" and asked if the party's vision was really a health service "driven not by patient need, but by profits and markets.
NHS plan defeat for Labour party leadership
The Labour Party leadership has suffered an embarrassing defeat over proposals to increase private company involvement in health care. Unison leader David Prentis accused the Labour Party of "government by diktat" and asked if the party's vision was really a health service "driven not by patient need, but by profits and markets.
11 May 2010
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
27 November 2007
PM Confirms Return Of Labour Donations
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has confirmed that money donated to the Labour anonymously by property developer David Abrahams would be returned. Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Brown said that £600,000 worth of donations from Mr Abrahams would be returned because they were not "lawfully declared".
PM Confirms Return Of Labour Donations
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has confirmed that money donated to the Labour anonymously by property developer David Abrahams would be returned. Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Brown said that £600,000 worth of donations from Mr Abrahams would be returned because they were not "lawfully declared".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
