Clarke takes over as Education Secretary

Ulster Secretary John Reid becomes party chairman

Labour Party chairman Charles Clarke was today made Education Secretary after the resignation of Estelle Morris.

Downing Street sources confirmed the widely expected appointment shortly before education questions in the House of Commons at 11.30am.

Mr Clarke left Downing Street in a people carrier shortly before the end of this morning's Cabinet meeting and went straight to the Commonsd for education questions.

Northern Ireland secretary John Reid is to be the new party chairman with Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy taking his job in Belfast, Downing Street announced. Peter Hain, the Minister for Europe, joins the Cabinet as Welsh Secretary.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that Ms Morris's resignation had been felt deeply by everyone attending this morning's regular Cabinet meeting in Downing Street.

The spokesman said: "There was a genuine air of sadness because of Estelle's departure and a genuine sense that no–one had been harder on Estelle than she had been on herself.

"There was a desire too that people should recognise the genuine achievements of both her period as Secretary of State and in her previous post as schools minister.

"That was the collective view around the table."

Charles Clarke is both perfectly placed and qualified to succeed Estelle Morris as Education Secretary.

Mr Clarke has extensive political experience, including a spell as school standards minister.

And his move from Cabinet Minister without Portfolio avoids upheaval in another department.

Chief–of–staff to former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, Mr Clarke has become one of Tony Blair's trusted lieutenants.

To the chagrin of some MPs, the Prime Minister made him the party's first chairman when he joined the Cabinet after last year's election.

He was promoted after successful stints in the Home Office and the schools standards job which earned Ms Morris promotion to the top rank.

Burly Mr Clarke shows none of her squeamishness in dealing with the "modern media".

He appeared to be chief–in–charge of saying sorry for Labour's first term failings following the election landslide.

But that did not prevent him regularly laying into the media when he felt criticism was unfair.

And after the problems that eventually swamped Ms Morris he can provide a bullish lead as the Government attempts to get its education programme back on track.

Moving Mr Clarke from his current post also allows Mr Blair to bring fresh blood into the Cabinet unhindered by the daunting responsibility of a department.

Mr Clarke entered Parliament in 1997 at the relatively late age of 46. But just one year later he was appointed schools standards minister.

Mr Clarke moved to the Home Office in 1999, where he has gained an impressive track record with responsibility for police and crime.

He won plaudits in both posts and has even been tipped as a future Labour leader.