British PM to reshuffle cabinet
AAP
October 7, 2013, 2:02 pm
British Prime Minister David Cameron is poised for a ministerial reshuffle as Downing Street confirmed the resignations of two further members of the government.
Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith and deputy chief whip John Randall stepped down from their positions ahead of the Conservative shake-up which is expected on Monday.
On Friday, Simon Burns quit as transport minister to launch a bid to be a Commons deputy speaker.
The departures increase the scope for Cameron to bring in fresh faces to his top team - which is tipped to include a number of young and female MPs.
But he is also losing one in the shape of Smith, who was only elected to the Commons in 2009 at the age of just 27 and was quickly promoted to the ministerial ranks. She said she wanted the chance to "develop other ways of giving public service, both inside and outside Parliament".
Mr Randall, 58, has been the Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since a 1997 by-election and told the Prime Minister at the end of last year that he wished to step down.
He said it had been "a great privilege and honour" to serve for 13 years in the Whips' Office in opposition and Government.
The Prime Minister said he "could not have wished for a more loyal, discreet, patient, trustworthy and committed colleague" and that he "had rather hoped this day would never come".
Mr Randall played a role in the Plebgate row - which led to his then boss Andrew Mitchell resigning as chief whip last year.
He was sent an email by a constituent who claimed to have witnessed Mr Mitchell's foul-mouthed rant at police officers at the gates of Downing Street.
The message - which purported to be from a passer-by happening upon the incident - specifically referred to Mr Mitchell's alleged use of the word "pleb", something he strongly denied.
It was later revealed to have been sent in fact by a police officer, helping spark a Scotland Yard investigation into a possible conspiracy against Mr Mitchell.
Prosecutors are now deciding whether charges should be brought after being passed all of the outstanding evidence in the case on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is also expected to make changes to the Liberal Democrat ministerial team and Labour leader Ed Miliband is to reshuffle his shadow ministerial team.
