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Minister to quit before election Lord Jones: 'I believe in Brown'
(about 1 hour later)
Trade Minister Lord Jones will quit his job before the next election because he does not intend to campaign for Labour. Trade Minister Lord Jones has given his "100% support" to Gordon Brown - but confirmed he would quit before the next election because he cannot back Labour.
The ex-CBI chief, who is not a Labour member, was one of the "government of all the talents" appointed by Gordon Brown after becoming prime minister. The ex-CBI chief, who is not a Labour member, was one of the "government of all the talents" appointed by Mr Brown.
Treasury Minister Angela Eagle told the BBC: "He's not in the Labour Party...he doesn't want to be around the government during a general election." He "never claimed to be a political animal", adding: "I am a supporter of... and believe in what he is doing. My plan now is to get on with the job."
The Conservatives say it shows the peer has "no confidence" in Gordon Brown. But the Tories say the claims shows the peer has "no confidence" in Mr Brown.
According to The Times, Lord (Digby) Jones told a private meeting with businessmen and lobbyists in January that he wanted to stand down in order to avoid questions on whether he supported the prime minister.According to The Times, Lord (Digby) Jones told a private meeting with businessmen and lobbyists in January that he wanted to stand down in order to avoid questions on whether he supported the prime minister.
No surprise? 'No secret'
The report comes as Mr Brown meets leading City figures to discuss the global credit crunch crisis, and critics speculate over the state of his leadership. The report comes as Mr Brown held talks with leading City figures to discuss the global credit crunch crisis, and critics speculate over the state of his leadership.
It is no secret that he does not wish to pursue a political career in the longer term and he has always said that he will continue his ministerial role for a finite period UK Trade and Investment I am a supporter of Gordon Brown and I believe in what he is doing Lord Jones of BirminghamTrade Minister
Lord Jones, speaking at a trade conference in London, said there was nothing new in the Times newspaper report.
"I've never claimed to be a political animal and as you know I believe trade and investment should transcend the factionalism of party politics," he said.
"But one thing I'm absolutely clear on - I am 100% committed to this job and to the prime minister.
"I am a supporter of Gordon Brown and I believe in what he is doing.
"I will continue to give him personally my full support and I am delighted to be doing this important job for my country.
"My plan now, as always, is to get on with the job."
'Unusual man'
A spokeswoman for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) said Lord Jones' intentions should not come as a surprise.A spokeswoman for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) said Lord Jones' intentions should not come as a surprise.
"It is no secret that he does not wish to pursue a political career in the longer term and he has always said that he will continue his ministerial role for a finite period," she said."It is no secret that he does not wish to pursue a political career in the longer term and he has always said that he will continue his ministerial role for a finite period," she said.
"With a successful 30-year business career behind him and the benefit of a single focus on trade and investment, he will continue to use his ministerial position to deliver more intensive support for UK business internationally and bang the drum for brand Britain around the world."
If Digby Jones does not want to campaign for Gordon Brown at the next election, I suspect he is at the head of a long queue Alan DuncanShadow business secretaryIf Digby Jones does not want to campaign for Gordon Brown at the next election, I suspect he is at the head of a long queue Alan DuncanShadow business secretary
Ms Eagle told BBC2's Newsnight: "He is an unusual man. He is not in the Labour Party. I think that he is saying that as a non-affiliated party person, he doesn't want to be around the government during a general election. "With a successful 30-year business career behind him and the benefit of a single focus on trade and investment, he will continue to use his ministerial position to deliver more intensive support for UK business internationally and bang the drum for brand Britain around the world."
Treasury Minister Angela Eagle told BBC2's Newsnight: "He is an unusual man. He is not in the Labour Party. I think that he is saying that as a non-affiliated party person, he doesn't want to be around the government during a general election.
"That could be two years away. I suggest we talk about the economy and stop worrying about this tittle-tattle around the edge.""That could be two years away. I suggest we talk about the economy and stop worrying about this tittle-tattle around the edge."
But Conservative leader David Cameron said Mr Brown's "government of all the talents" policy "hasn't really worked out when you've got your own trade minister saying... he's going to pack up and leave the government because he can't campaign for you".But Conservative leader David Cameron said Mr Brown's "government of all the talents" policy "hasn't really worked out when you've got your own trade minister saying... he's going to pack up and leave the government because he can't campaign for you".
"I think Digby Jones is a very effective trade minister - I'm glad he's there because we need someone flying the flag for British business," he said."I think Digby Jones is a very effective trade minister - I'm glad he's there because we need someone flying the flag for British business," he said.
"But I don't think it says much for the government when he's not prepared to speak up for them.""But I don't think it says much for the government when he's not prepared to speak up for them."
ControversyControversy
Shadow business and enterprise secretary Alan Duncan added: "It's unprecedented for a minister to say that they have no confidence in their own prime minister.Shadow business and enterprise secretary Alan Duncan added: "It's unprecedented for a minister to say that they have no confidence in their own prime minister.
"If Digby Jones does not want to campaign for Gordon Brown at the next election, I suspect he is at the head of a long queue.""If Digby Jones does not want to campaign for Gordon Brown at the next election, I suspect he is at the head of a long queue."
Lord Jones was one of several appointments Mr Brown made from outside the political arena.Lord Jones was one of several appointments Mr Brown made from outside the political arena.
But his so-called "government of all the talents" has caused some controversy.But his so-called "government of all the talents" has caused some controversy.
Despite being a minister, Lord Jones refused to take the Labour whip in the House of Lords and caused embarrassment when he expressed concerns about Chancellor Alistair Darling's plans to reform capital gains tax and tax wealthy "non-domiciled" foreigners living in Britain.Despite being a minister, Lord Jones refused to take the Labour whip in the House of Lords and caused embarrassment when he expressed concerns about Chancellor Alistair Darling's plans to reform capital gains tax and tax wealthy "non-domiciled" foreigners living in Britain.
Security minister Admiral Lord West had to withdraw comments that appeared to conflict with the government view of whether the police need to hold terrorist suspects for more than 28 days.Security minister Admiral Lord West had to withdraw comments that appeared to conflict with the government view of whether the police need to hold terrorist suspects for more than 28 days.
And development minister Lord Malloch-Brown got into trouble when he revealed that British officials had been in contract with Hamas.And development minister Lord Malloch-Brown got into trouble when he revealed that British officials had been in contract with Hamas.