MP's decision is 鈥渘othing to do with politics鈥, says prime minister

Secretary of state for transport Ruth Kelly has announced that she will be stepping down from government.


Ruth Kelly
Kelly wishes to spend more time with her four children

Gordon Brown told the BBC that her decision was 鈥渘othing to do with politics鈥 and that she remained 鈥渁 fan鈥. He said Kelly wished to spend time with her four children, and be with them 鈥渁s they grow up鈥.

Brown, who yesterday attempted to reassert his leadership yesterday in his big conference speech, has denied suggestions that further resignations could follow.

Kelly, who is MP for Bolton West, will step down from the cabinet at the next reshuffle, possibly next week after the Conservative conference.

She was appointed UK transport secretary in July 2007, after Brown took over as prime minister.