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Brown dealt blow as Purnell walks

Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell has become the most high profile figure to call for Gordon Brown’s resignation as he quits the cabinet himself.

Mr Purnell is the third member of the Cabinet and fifth minister to announce his resignation in just three days.

In his resignation letter, which was provided to several newspapers, Mr Purnell told the Prime Minister: “I now believe that your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more, not less, likely. That would be disastrous for our country…

“We need to show that we are prepared to fight to be a credible Government and have the courage to offer an alternative future.

“I am therefore calling on you to stand aside to give our Party a fighting chance of winning. As such, I am resigning from Government.”

Downing Street said Mr Brown was “disappointed” by Mr Purnell’s departure but would continue to focus on addressing the challenges facing Britain, as well as “restructuring” the Government over the next few days.

A spokesman confirmed that the Stalybridge and Hyde MP did not inform Mr Brown of his intention to quit until shortly before the news broke.

No 10 said in a statement: “The Prime Minister is disappointed by the resignation of James Purnell.

“His focus over the coming days will be on restructuring the Government on the big challenges facing the country for the future: how we guide the economy through the downturn and strengthen it for the future; how we push ahead with reform of, and investment in, our public services; and how we renew trust in our democracy and Parliament.

“He will continue to give his undivided attention to addressing these great challenges facing our country and putting the interests of the British people first and foremost.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .