Cabinet reshuffle sends tourism minister to N. Ireland
Tourism minister Shaun Woodward has left his post to become Northern Ireland secretary under new prime minister Gordon Brown.
His new role was revealed as part of a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle folloiwng the resignation of Tony Blair as premier.
Former culture secretary Tessa Jowell becomes Olympics minister and is succeeded at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport – the department responsible for tourism – by a former tourism minister James Purnell, who moves from the Department of Work and Pensions.
Purnell is no stranger to the DCMS as he was formerly parliamentary secretary of state at the department with responsibility for tourism for a year.
Details of who will be handed responsibility for tourism has yet to emerge as a result of the Cabinet overhaul.
Sports minister Richard Caborn takes the new role as Ambassador for the World Cup in 2018, responsible for efforts to bring the football tournament to the UK in 11 years time.
Meanwhile, Ruth Kelly takes on the role of transport secretary, moving from communities and local government, in place of Douglas Alexander.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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