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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Reid to resign as home secretary | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| John Reid has told the BBC he will stand down as home secretary in June when "Tony Blair goes". | |
| Mr Reid had been tipped to challenge Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership, but he ruled himself out and threw his weight behind Mr Brown. | |
| He said there was "no eagerness" for a contest and he would vote for Mr Brown's campaign. | |
| But he told BBC One's The Politics Show he would return to the backbenches rather than serve in a Brown cabinet. | But he told BBC One's The Politics Show he would return to the backbenches rather than serve in a Brown cabinet. |
| 'Natural break' | 'Natural break' |
| Mr Reid's announcement means Mr Brown will not face a top level challenge for the Labour leadership when Mr Blair stands down. | Mr Reid's announcement means Mr Brown will not face a top level challenge for the Labour leadership when Mr Blair stands down. |
| From my point of view, it is better to take the chance, having had nine jobs in 10 years, to recharge my batteries John Reid | From my point of view, it is better to take the chance, having had nine jobs in 10 years, to recharge my batteries John Reid |
| Mr Blair is expected to announce a timetable for his departure on Thursday, but will remain as prime minister until a new Labour leader - now almost certain to be Gordon Brown - is elected. | Mr Blair is expected to announce a timetable for his departure on Thursday, but will remain as prime minister until a new Labour leader - now almost certain to be Gordon Brown - is elected. |
| Other Blairite heavyweights to have ruled themselves out in recent weeks include environment secretary David Miliband and Mr Reid's predecessor at the Home Office Charles Clarke. | Other Blairite heavyweights to have ruled themselves out in recent weeks include environment secretary David Miliband and Mr Reid's predecessor at the Home Office Charles Clarke. |
| Mr Reid told The Politics Show: "That is a natural break period because if I stay a year and leave then that will be misrepresented. | |
| "Now I've done nine jobs in 10 years and I think from my point of view I think it's a good thing to be able to go out to listen, to learn, to discuss, to get back to the grass roots. | "Now I've done nine jobs in 10 years and I think from my point of view I think it's a good thing to be able to go out to listen, to learn, to discuss, to get back to the grass roots. |
| "But also from the point of view of an incoming prime minister. I think the new prime minister should have the maximum flexibility. He needs space." | "But also from the point of view of an incoming prime minister. I think the new prime minister should have the maximum flexibility. He needs space." |
| 'Unite' | 'Unite' |
| Mr Reid replaced Charles Clarke as home secretary last year, promising to revamp a department he said was not "fit for purpose". | |
| A key ally of Tony Blair, he had consistently refused to rule out a bid for the party leadership when Mr Blair stands down. | A key ally of Tony Blair, he had consistently refused to rule out a bid for the party leadership when Mr Blair stands down. |
| But after considering his options he said he had decided there was not an "eagerness" in the Labour Party for a contest. | But after considering his options he said he had decided there was not an "eagerness" in the Labour Party for a contest. |
| "There's an eagerness for us to come together. And I said last week to unite rather than to fracture." | |
| 'Good discussion' | 'Good discussion' |
| Asked whether he was jumping before he was pushed, Mr Reid said: "I have discussed it with Gordon, I've had a very good discussion with Gordon on a number of these issues. | Asked whether he was jumping before he was pushed, Mr Reid said: "I have discussed it with Gordon, I've had a very good discussion with Gordon on a number of these issues. |
| "He has made plain to me there's a place in his government for me but he understands and he accepts my decision on this. | "He has made plain to me there's a place in his government for me but he understands and he accepts my decision on this. |
| "I have made plain to him that from the backbenches I will be there to support him, it will not be a case of sniping, it will be a case of sustaining the Labour government and the new prime minister." | "I have made plain to him that from the backbenches I will be there to support him, it will not be a case of sniping, it will be a case of sustaining the Labour government and the new prime minister." |
| He added: "In my view it is better for the Labour Party, the leadership and the new prime minister that he be given the maximum flexibility. | |
| "In terms of introducing his new ideas, new agenda - same direction but new policies perhaps in pursuit of that, certainly new people - a fresh start bringing in younger people in many cases. | "In terms of introducing his new ideas, new agenda - same direction but new policies perhaps in pursuit of that, certainly new people - a fresh start bringing in younger people in many cases. |
| "From my point of view, it is better to take the chance, having had nine jobs in 10 years, to recharge my batteries." | "From my point of view, it is better to take the chance, having had nine jobs in 10 years, to recharge my batteries." |
| Mr Brown could still face a challenge from one of two left-wing backbenchers - John McDonnell and Michael Meacher. | Mr Brown could still face a challenge from one of two left-wing backbenchers - John McDonnell and Michael Meacher. |