Woodward thrilled with North post in Brown cabinet

BRITISH Prime Minister Gordon Brown unveiled his senior ministerial team yesterday, a day after taking power, vowing change after the end of Tony Blair’s decade in power.

Shaun Woodward said he was “thrilled” to be returning to Northern Ireland after Brown appointed him to his first Cabinet as Secretary of State. The former Tory MP was a surprise choice. Brown offered the job to former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown who turned it down.

And Mr Woodward repeatedly batted away questions over why he would not get the £75,000-plus ministerial salary that previously went with the job.