British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday axed Charles Clarke as home secretary, replacing him with John Reid, a day after the governing Labour party's drubbing in local elections.
LONDON: British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday axed Charles Clarke as home secretary, replacing him with John Reid, a day after the governing Labour party's drubbing in local elections.
Margaret Beckett is the new foreign secretary in place of Jack Straw, who has become the Commons leader.
Clarke, who was at the centre of a controversy over the failure to deport foreign criminals, confirmed that he has been sacked and said he turned down offers of other posts.
"I do not think it would be appropriate to remain in this government in these circumstances," he said.
Defence Secretary John Reid has replaced Clarke while Des Browne was promoted from chief secretary at the treasury to secretary of defence.
John Prescott, who was in the midst of controversy owing to his affair with his diary secretary, will stay as deputy prime minister but will no longer be in charge of housing and urban affairs.
Geoff Hoon has been made minister for Europe with a seat in the Cabinet.
In the worst poll debacle since the New Labour came to power nine years ago, the party came third in the national share of the vote in Thursday's council polls, losing more than 200 seats to the Tories.
Labour lost control of 18 local councils, making it one of the party's worst local elections nights.
The Conservatives took control of 12 councils and gained 250 seats, although they failed to make much headway in Northern cities such as Manchester and Liverpool.
The Liberal Democrats also failed to cash in much, gaining less than 20 councillors, but Sir Menzies Campbell said it was not a test of his leadership.
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