Health chief Hewitt quits before she gets the sack
HEALTH Secretary Patricia Hewitt quit the Government last night to avoid the humiliation of being demoted.
Mrs Hewitt, who has been blamed for Labour’s NHS woes, is expected to be replaced by Education Secretary Alan Johnson.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is also tipped to be sidelined today, with David Miliband stepping into her shoes.
She has apparently agreed to head a Labour Party policy committee instead.
The appointment of Trade Secretary Alistair Darling, like Mr Brown a Scot, as the new Chancellor is an open secret at Westminster.
Commons leader Jack Straw, who ran Mr Brown’s leadership campaign, is pencilled in for a key job, possibly as Justice Minister, with the role – but not the title – of Deputy Prime Minister.
Newly-elected deputy leader Harriet Harman was tipped to become House of Commons leader, while former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon could be Chief Whip. Other people in line for top jobs include Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander and Treasury Minister Ed Balls.
Lib Dem peer Baroness Williams was also being tipped for a Government post.
Better known as Labour and SDP stalwart Shirley Williams, she was spotted outside Mr Brown’s office yesterday, provoking speculation of an advisory role in Government for her.
This follows an unsuccessful bid by Mr Brown to recruit Lib Dem peers Lord Ashdown and former police chief Lord Stevens last week.
