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Darling 'to remain as chancellor' Darling 'to remain as chancellor'
(10 minutes later)
Alistair Darling is to stay chancellor and Jack Straw will remain justice secretary as Gordon Brown begins a reshuffle, sources have told the BBC.Alistair Darling is to stay chancellor and Jack Straw will remain justice secretary as Gordon Brown begins a reshuffle, sources have told the BBC.
Mr Brown's ally Ed Balls had been tipped for the job but Mr Darling is thought to have insisted on staying.Mr Brown's ally Ed Balls had been tipped for the job but Mr Darling is thought to have insisted on staying.
Mr Brown is fighting for his political life after Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell resigned with a call for the PM to go "for Labour's sake".Mr Brown is fighting for his political life after Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell resigned with a call for the PM to go "for Labour's sake".
It comes as Labour braces itself for bad results in English local elections.It comes as Labour braces itself for bad results in English local elections.
Mr Brown is in Downing Street working on a reshuffle which is expected to see widespread changes in key jobs within the next few hours.Mr Brown is in Downing Street working on a reshuffle which is expected to see widespread changes in key jobs within the next few hours.
BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said he understood that Mr Darling had turned down a move to the home office and Mr Purnell been "sounded out" about the job of education secretary, which would have paved the way for Ed Balls to become chancellor, but that was not now going to happen. BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said he understood that Mr Darling had turned down a move to the home office and Mr Purnell had been "sounded out" about the job of education secretary, which would have paved the way for Ed Balls to become chancellor, but that was not now going to happen.
'Loyal support''Loyal support'
Cabinet ministers have been rallying round Mr Brown following Mr Purnell's surprise departure, with none so far indicating they are ready to follow his lead.Cabinet ministers have been rallying round Mr Brown following Mr Purnell's surprise departure, with none so far indicating they are ready to follow his lead.
Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman told GMTV: "If James Purnell wants to make his decision to leave the government, then that's a matter for him, but he's not entitled to say that the prime minister has to go too, and he's not going to."Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman told GMTV: "If James Purnell wants to make his decision to leave the government, then that's a matter for him, but he's not entitled to say that the prime minister has to go too, and he's not going to."
She added: "Gordon Brown is going to remain steady and resolute, dealing with the collapse of confidence in Parliament and the difficult economic situation, and we will support him loyally."She added: "Gordon Brown is going to remain steady and resolute, dealing with the collapse of confidence in Parliament and the difficult economic situation, and we will support him loyally."
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he expected more people to be "taking to the airwaves saying Gordon Brown has got to resign".International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he expected more people to be "taking to the airwaves saying Gordon Brown has got to resign".
But he said he disagreed with Mr Purnell and said Mr Brown staying on as prime minister was the "right thing for the country".But he said he disagreed with Mr Purnell and said Mr Brown staying on as prime minister was the "right thing for the country".
He said Mr Purnell's conclusion that Labour was was not shared by other colleagues in the cabinet and said it would be disastrous for the Labour Party to "turn inward" following the week's events.He said Mr Purnell's conclusion that Labour was was not shared by other colleagues in the cabinet and said it would be disastrous for the Labour Party to "turn inward" following the week's events.
Conservative leader David Cameron repeated his call for a general election, telling BBC News: "We have a government in complete chaos. We really do deserve better than this."Conservative leader David Cameron repeated his call for a general election, telling BBC News: "We have a government in complete chaos. We really do deserve better than this."
Mr Purnell's resignation came within minutes of polls closing in European and English local elections.Mr Purnell's resignation came within minutes of polls closing in European and English local elections.
In a letter to several newspapers, the work and pensions secretary said Mr Brown's continued leadership made a Conservative victory at the next general election "more, not less likely".In a letter to several newspapers, the work and pensions secretary said Mr Brown's continued leadership made a Conservative victory at the next general election "more, not less likely".