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Woodward misses out on big job NI job a 'privilege and honour'
(about 3 hours later)
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has missed out on a promotion in the Cabinet reshuffle. Shaun Woodward has missed out on a promotion in the Cabinet reshuffle and will remain Secretary of State for NI.
Earlier, there had been speculation he would get the health or defence job but now the BBC understands that he is to continue in his current job. There had been speculation he would get the health or defence job.
Mr Woodward has been to the fore in supporting Gordon Brown as his leadership comes under fire. Mr Woodward said it was a "privilege and honour" to be the secretary of state and that "huge political progress" had been made in his tenure.
Mr Woodward has has held the safe Labour seat of St Helens since 2001. "I asked the Prime Minister to enable me to help to complete this work and am very grateful to have been given the opportunity for a third year," he said.
Earlier he said he was confident in Gordon Brown's leadership. Earlier, he said he was confident in Gordon Brown's leadership.
"What we're seeing today is a Cabinet coming behind Gordon Brown, a reshuffle under way -- a reshuffle to serve the country. That's our job and that's what we should do," he said. Mr Woodward was a Conservative MP between 1997 and 1999 when he defected to Labour. He has held the safe Labour seat of St Helens since 2001.
Mr Woodward was a Conservative MP between 1997 and 1999 when he defected to Labour.
He moved up the ministerial ranks, joining the Cabinet for the first time two years ago.He moved up the ministerial ranks, joining the Cabinet for the first time two years ago.
'Very strong''Very strong'
He had been linked to to the job of Home Secretary which will be vacated when Jacqui Smith steps down, but that has gone to Health Secretary Alan Johnson.He had been linked to to the job of Home Secretary which will be vacated when Jacqui Smith steps down, but that has gone to Health Secretary Alan Johnson.
Some political sources had also linked him with the Defence Secretary job but that has gone to Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister.Some political sources had also linked him with the Defence Secretary job but that has gone to Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister.
John Hutton is standing down as Defence Secretary and is leaving the Cabinet.John Hutton is standing down as Defence Secretary and is leaving the Cabinet.
Gordon Brown is shaking up his cabinet after Thursday's European and English local elections.Gordon Brown is shaking up his cabinet after Thursday's European and English local elections.
Mr Woodward said the prime minister's mood was "very strong, very resilient".Mr Woodward said the prime minister's mood was "very strong, very resilient".
"It's almost when things are at their toughest that you see the real mettle of this person," he said."It's almost when things are at their toughest that you see the real mettle of this person," he said.