Kelly to step down from Cabinet

Sep 24 2008

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has told the Prime Minister she intends to step down to spend more time with her family, sources said.

The revelation comes at an awkward time for Gordon Brown who had hoped to end the Labour Party conference on a high note after delivering a rousing speech on Tuesday.

A source close to Ms Kelly said Mr Brown had been informed that the mother of four will resign from her post at the next Cabinet reshuffle.

There had been speculation Ms Kelly could leave the Cabinet over her objections to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Earlier this year, the Bolton West MP along with two other Roman Catholic Cabinet ministers - Defence Secretary Des Browne and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy - voted in favour of the unsuccessful attempt to ban the use of hybrid human-animal embryos and "saviour siblings".

But the source insisted Ms Kelly planned to step down because of family commitments.

"It is not true to say that (Ms Kelly) has resigned. She has told the Prime Minister she intends to step down at the next Cabinet reshuffle, purely for family reasons," she said.

"She is very happy in her job as Transport Secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children."

Ms Kelly's decision to quit comes amid rumours of a looming Cabinet reshuffle and is likely to put Mr Brown on the back foot once again as he attempts to shore up his leadership.