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Lord Jones to leave in reshuffle Lord Jones to leave in reshuffle
(20 minutes later)
Lord Digby Jones will be stepping down as a government minister in Gordon Brown's reshuffle, which is expected to take place in the next few days.Lord Digby Jones will be stepping down as a government minister in Gordon Brown's reshuffle, which is expected to take place in the next few days.
The former CBI chief was one of the outside experts brought in by Mr Brown when he became prime minister.The former CBI chief was one of the outside experts brought in by Mr Brown when he became prime minister.
He told the BBC he always intended to do the trade minister's job for a limited time, and said it was not a judgement on Mr Brown's performance. He told the BBC he had always intended to do the trade minister's job for a limited time, and said it was not a judgement on Mr Brown's performance.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is also leaving in the reshuffle.Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is also leaving in the reshuffle.
I've no idea when the reshuffle is, but when the reshuffle comes I would expect to go away Lord JonesI've no idea when the reshuffle is, but when the reshuffle comes I would expect to go away Lord Jones
The appointment of Lord Jones was controversial at the time because he was not a member of the Labour Party.The appointment of Lord Jones was controversial at the time because he was not a member of the Labour Party.
He countered that criticism by saying that the job of promoting trade and investment "should transcend the factionalism of party politics".He countered that criticism by saying that the job of promoting trade and investment "should transcend the factionalism of party politics".
He told the BBC that it was already well known that he was going to step down, saying he had only taken the role on for a "finite period".He told the BBC that it was already well known that he was going to step down, saying he had only taken the role on for a "finite period".
"I said when I took the job fifteen months ago... I'd do if for the country, for the government, for my prime minister," he said. "I said when I took the job fifteen months ago... I'd do it for the country, for the government, for my prime minister," he said.
'Leisurely chat''Leisurely chat'
"And that time is coming up to an end and it's public knowledge that whenever he wanted to reshuffle, he could count me in it and I would slip away."And that time is coming up to an end and it's public knowledge that whenever he wanted to reshuffle, he could count me in it and I would slip away.
"It's not a comment on him - I think his leadership is very, very good indeed, it's not a comment on government."It's not a comment on him - I think his leadership is very, very good indeed, it's not a comment on government.
"This is a comment on the terms and conditions on which I took the job. I've no idea when the reshuffle is, but when the reshuffle comes I would expect to go away.""This is a comment on the terms and conditions on which I took the job. I've no idea when the reshuffle is, but when the reshuffle comes I would expect to go away."
Lord Jones has been involved in some controversy during his time in the job - notably when he expressed concerns about plans to tax "non-domiciled" foreigners in Britain.Lord Jones has been involved in some controversy during his time in the job - notably when he expressed concerns about plans to tax "non-domiciled" foreigners in Britain.
It emerged during the Labour Party conference that Ms Kelly had asked to leave the government at the next reshuffle because she wanted to spend more time with her family.It emerged during the Labour Party conference that Ms Kelly had asked to leave the government at the next reshuffle because she wanted to spend more time with her family.
The BBC understands Ms Kelly was in Downing Street on Thursday morning for a "leisurely chat" at Mr Brown's suggestion.The BBC understands Ms Kelly was in Downing Street on Thursday morning for a "leisurely chat" at Mr Brown's suggestion.
The reshuffle is expected to be a more limited than at one time expected, given the current economic crisis and the relative success of Labour's conference last week. The reshuffle is expected to be more limited than had been expected, given the current economic crisis and the relative success of Labour's conference last week.
There had been speculation it would happen on Thursday, but Downing Street appeared to play down that possibility, telling reporters the prime minister was "very focused on other issues".There had been speculation it would happen on Thursday, but Downing Street appeared to play down that possibility, telling reporters the prime minister was "very focused on other issues".
It is still expected that the reshuffle will take place before Monday, when MPs return to Parliament after their lengthy summer recess.It is still expected that the reshuffle will take place before Monday, when MPs return to Parliament after their lengthy summer recess.