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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Hain 'returns as Welsh Secretary' | Hain 'returns as Welsh Secretary' |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| BBC Wales understands that Peter Hain is returning to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Wales. | BBC Wales understands that Peter Hain is returning to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Wales. |
| The Neath MP resigned in January 2008 to clear his name over the declaration of £103,000 of donations in his bid to become deputy Labour leader. | The Neath MP resigned in January 2008 to clear his name over the declaration of £103,000 of donations in his bid to become deputy Labour leader. |
| Meanwhile, a Welsh Labour MP joined the calls from within his party for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step down. | Meanwhile, a Welsh Labour MP joined the calls from within his party for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step down. |
| Newport West MP Paul Flynn said the PM was "indecisive" over MPs' expenses and should make a "swift and orderly exit". | Newport West MP Paul Flynn said the PM was "indecisive" over MPs' expenses and should make a "swift and orderly exit". |
| Mr Hain, who had also been Work and Pensions Secretary, was found to be guilty of "serious and substantial" failures in not registering donations, the Commons standards watchdog found. | |
| He apologised and said his mistakes had been honest. | |
| On Thursday, Mr Hain's successor at the department of work and pensions, James Purnell left the cabinet, and urged Mr Brown to stand aside. | |
| But ahead of the reshuffle, there was support from Mr Brown from within Wales. | |
| Wales Office minister Wayne David called him the best person to lead the country. | |
| Mr David told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme that Mr Purnell was part of a "very small and distinct minority", and the "silent majority" in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) continued to support the prime minister. | Mr David told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme that Mr Purnell was part of a "very small and distinct minority", and the "silent majority" in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) continued to support the prime minister. |
| He said he was "absolutely convinced" Mr Brown would lead the party into the next election. | He said he was "absolutely convinced" Mr Brown would lead the party into the next election. |
| He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward Wayne David MP | He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward Wayne David MP |
| "He's unquestionably the best person to lead this country. I believe not only ministers recognise that but I believe the overwhelming mass of Labour MPs believe that as well," said Mr David, the Caerphilly MP. | "He's unquestionably the best person to lead this country. I believe not only ministers recognise that but I believe the overwhelming mass of Labour MPs believe that as well," said Mr David, the Caerphilly MP. |
| "Many ministers, many members of the Parliamentary Labour Party stand absolutely firmly behind Gordon Brown. | "Many ministers, many members of the Parliamentary Labour Party stand absolutely firmly behind Gordon Brown. |
| "He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward." | "He's got the policies, the perspective and the strength to take us forward." |
| But Mr Flynn said he hoped that Mr Brown accepted "the expected majority opinion of the Parliamentary Labour Party and he makes a swift and orderly exit". | But Mr Flynn said he hoped that Mr Brown accepted "the expected majority opinion of the Parliamentary Labour Party and he makes a swift and orderly exit". |
| "He's been heavy-footed, indecisive and defensive on MPs' expenses and many MPs have been unhappy with that. There is now a wide coalition asking for change in the PLP," added Mr Flynn. | "He's been heavy-footed, indecisive and defensive on MPs' expenses and many MPs have been unhappy with that. There is now a wide coalition asking for change in the PLP," added Mr Flynn. |
| Labour's Kevin Brennan, Cardiff West MP and parliamentary under secretary in the cabinet office, said he was surprised by Mr Purnell's resignation which he thought was unnecessary and out of line with the feelings of the PLP. | Labour's Kevin Brennan, Cardiff West MP and parliamentary under secretary in the cabinet office, said he was surprised by Mr Purnell's resignation which he thought was unnecessary and out of line with the feelings of the PLP. |
| Dai Havard, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said that bigger names than Mr Purnell might be required to resign from the cabinet in order for Mr Brown to stand down. | Dai Havard, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said that bigger names than Mr Purnell might be required to resign from the cabinet in order for Mr Brown to stand down. |
| Expenses criticism | Expenses criticism |
| "It's going to be an interesting few days but I think heavier hitters will need to come forward if Gordon Brown is to stand down. | "It's going to be an interesting few days but I think heavier hitters will need to come forward if Gordon Brown is to stand down. |
| "It will be interesting to see what the people around (Lord) Mandelson do. If they start moving, who knows?" he said. | "It will be interesting to see what the people around (Lord) Mandelson do. If they start moving, who knows?" he said. |
| Nia Griffiths Labour MP for Llanelli reiterated her support for Gordon Brown. She told BBC Radio Cymru hat a large majority of MPs as well as the public were in favour of a stable government and an experienced prime minister. | Nia Griffiths Labour MP for Llanelli reiterated her support for Gordon Brown. She told BBC Radio Cymru hat a large majority of MPs as well as the public were in favour of a stable government and an experienced prime minister. |
| On Friday, Defence Secretary John Hutton became the latest minister to quit the government - although he says he will remain loyal to Mr Brown. | On Friday, Defence Secretary John Hutton became the latest minister to quit the government - although he says he will remain loyal to Mr Brown. |
| Mr Purnell quit the cabinet on Thursday, following Communities Secretary Hazel Blears' decision to step down earlier this week. | Mr Purnell quit the cabinet on Thursday, following Communities Secretary Hazel Blears' decision to step down earlier this week. |
| Ms Blears had been under fire over her expenses claims despite repaying £13,000, following allegations she avoided paying capital gains tax on a property sale. | Ms Blears had been under fire over her expenses claims despite repaying £13,000, following allegations she avoided paying capital gains tax on a property sale. |
| She had been tipped for the axe in the cabinet reshuffle. | She had been tipped for the axe in the cabinet reshuffle. |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who also faced expenses criticism, went public on Tuesday with her decision to stand down. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who also faced expenses criticism, went public on Tuesday with her decision to stand down. |