Reshuffle talk dampened by No 10

Ruth Kelly announced she would step down at the next reshuffle Downing Street has cooled expectations of a possible cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, saying Gordon Brown "is very focused on other things". The prime minister is widely expected to carry out a limited reshuffle of his top team before MPs return on Monday. But No 10's spokesman said the PM was concentrating on the economic crisis - and announced Mr Brown would attend emergency talks in Paris on Saturday. A successor to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly will be among changes announced. Mother-of-four Ms Kelly has said it was time to "step back" from politics and put her family first. 'No issues' The MP for Bolton West denied that the decision had anything to do with unhappiness with the leadership of Mr Brown. And Mr Brown said Ms Kelly had informed him of her plans in... [read full story]