Hazel Blears Resigns From Cabinet in Further Blow for Gordon Brown

Hazel Blears dealt a potentially fatal blow to Gordon Brown's political authority today when she announced her departure from Cabinet on the eve of crucial local and European elections.

It was the fourth ministerial resignation in 24 hours and the second at Cabinet level after the news yesterday that Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, was also standing down to focus on saving her seat at the next general election.

But whereas Ms Smith's decision leaked out – she had been willing to hang on until a next week’s expected reshuffle – Ms Blears announced her resignation less than two hours before Prime Minister's Questions.

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