British PM shuffles cabinet, defies calls for resignation

Britain's beleaguered Prime Minister Gordon Brown shuffled his cabinet on Friday and defied calls for his resignation, despite public anger over inappropriate MP expense claims and a string of resignations from high-profile ministers.

"I believe in never walking away from people in difficult times," Brown told reporters in London.

"I have the determination to take this country through the most difficult of economic times, and this is what I'm doing."

Brown has been deluged with criticism of his leadership and judgment following a scandal over MP expenses and dramatically sliding popularity among voters.

Some of the MPs who resigned recently have expressed strong reservations that Labour can prevail in national elections with Brown at its helm.

6 ministers quit in 4 days

Defence Secretary John Hutton, who was regarded as one of the cabinet's best performers, announced Friday he was quitting his post. Nevertheless, he offered Brown his support as he left.

Transport Minister Geoff Hoon also stepped down Friday, as did backbench Labour MP Ian Gibson, who told the BBC he believed Brown's days "are numbered." Gibson's resignation forces a byelection in his riding.

Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth, a deputy to Hutton, was picked to become the new defence secretary.

Health Minister Alan Johnson becomes home secretary and Andy Burnham, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, takes up the health portfolio.

As Brown announced the changes, he revealed that another cabinet minister, Europe Minister Caroline Flint, is leaving her post. The Times of London newspaper quoted Flint as saying that Brown used her as "female window-dressing."

She reportedly criticized Brown for running a two-tier cabinet by including some ministers in a tight circle while keeping others at arm's-length.

She will be succeeded by Glenys Kinnock, a member of the European Parliament and wife of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock.

A total of six cabinet ministers have now quit in four days.

In a dig at those who jumped ship, Brown said Friday that he was filling his cabinet with people "who will not walk away from their responsibilities when the going gets tough."

Chancellor Alistair Darling, who Brown called "a very good personal friend," remains at his post, as does Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

Rising star resigns

The changes come a day after Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell dramatically resigned and called for Brown to step down as well. Purnell, 39, was seen as a fast-rising star in the governing Labour Party, but said in his resignation letter that he is not seeking to lead the party himself.

"I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more, not less likely," he told Brown in a resignation letter.

He announced his resignation late Thursday as polls closed in European Parliament and local English elections, in which Labour is expected to do badly. Early results from local authority elections showed Labour losing seats to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

The results from Thursday's local elections are due out by Friday evening, but Brown acknowledged Labour had suffered a "painful defeat."

Friday's cabinet shuffle is being seen as Brown's last chance to assert his authority over his fractious party or face ouster.

Brown took over from Tony Blair two years ago. He gained praise for his handling of the global economic crisis, but his government has been hammered by weeks of leaked details about legislators' expense claims, which have fuelled public anger at politicians.

Outrage swelled after it became clear elected representatives claimed tax money for inappropriate expenses such as constructing swimming pools, paying off mortgages and buying luxury furniture.

Many Labour politicians now see Brown as an obstacle to the party's chances of avoiding defeat in the next national election, which must be held by mid-2010.