Reid to resign from UK Cabinet this summer

British Home Secretary and former Northern Secretary John Reid announced today he would resign from the British Cabinet this summer as he ruled himself out of a bid for the Labour leadership.

Mr Reid disclosed his decision as he threw his weight behind Gordon Brown’s leadership ambitions, saying there was “no eagerness” in the Labour Party for a contest.

“Therefore, I have decided I will not put myself forward as a candidate,” he told BBC1’s The Politics Show.

He added that he wanted to give Mr Brown the opportunity to bring new people into the Cabinet.

“I intend to vote for and support Gordon Brown, to put through the changes to the Home Office, then to stand down – as Tony Blair goes – from the Cabinet and to give maximum opportunity to Gordon to bring in new people,” Mr Reid said.