Blair completes ministerial reshuffle

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair completed his new ministerial lineup today, ousting embattled Europe minister Mr Keith Vaz…

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair completed his new ministerial lineup today, ousting embattled Europe minister Mr Keith Vaz and appointing swathes of fresh faces.

Mr Peter Hain, the new Minister for Europe, will attract the headlines but there were many other changes besides, refreshing the government with new talent, according to Mr Blair's spokesman.

Former transport minister Lord Macdonald joins Deputy Prime Minister Mr John Prescott in the Cabinet Office as does Ms Barbara Roche, who moves from the Home Office, and Ms Sally Morgan, Mr Blair's loyal former political secretary who becomes a Baroness.

All highly regarded, their appointments confirmed Mr Blair's plan to build a strong team to ensure improvements to key public services are delivered by different departments.

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This marks a further strengthening of the centre, Mr Blair's spokesman told reporters.

At the Treasury, Ms Dawn Primarolo stays but will serve under Chancellor of the Exchequer with former Home Office minister Mr Paul Boateng and Ms Ruth Kelly, an ex-Bank of England economist.

The Department of Trade and Industry, now headed by Ms Patricia Hewitt, will welcome new ministers.

Baroness Symons switches from defence to become Minister for Trade. Mr Brian Wilson moves from Scotland to take over energy policy and Mr Douglas Alexander, one of the architects of Labour's election campaign, takes the e-commerce and competitiveness beat.

Sports minister Kate Ms Hoey has been sacked in favour of industry minister Mr Dick Caborn. She carries the can for the collapse of plans to redevelop Wembley Stadium.

Mr Alun Michael, who resigned as leader of the Welsh Assembly, will work under Ms Margaret Beckett and the newly-formed Ministry for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He will take charge of rural affairs following the foot-and-mouth outbreak which has devastated the farming community. Mr Michael Meacher remains environment minister. At the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, defence minister Mr John Spellar takes the transport post and Mr Blair's old friend, Lord Falconer, takes charge of housing and planning.

He retains responsibility for the ill-fated Millennium Dome.

Lord Goldsmith becomes Attorney General.