Another British minister quits Brown government
AFP
LONDON - A British junior minister was to resign his post from embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government but would remain as an adviser, officials said Tuesday.
Ara Darzi, a practising surgeon, would stand down as health minister in coming weeks to devote more time to academic research and clinical duties, Downing Street said.
Darzi is the latest in a string of ministers to resign in recent months, after Brown tried to reshuffle his cabinet and reassert his authority in the wake of an embarrassing MPs' expenses scandal.
Brown's ruling Labour Party is widely tipped to lose a general election to the main opposition Conservatives that must be held by the middle of next year.
Darzi, appointed in 2007 by Brown as part of the prime minister's planned broad-based government, led a year-long review of the National Health Service, publishing a report last year.
"I am deeply grateful to you for having given me the privilege of serving in your Government, the freedom to make tough but important decisions, and the support to make change happen," Darzi said in his resignation letter to Brown and released by Downing Street.
"As you know, I have maintained my busy clinical practice and research contributions during my time as a Minister.
"The time has now come for me to return to care for my patients, lead my academic department, and continue my research on a full time basis."
In a statement, Downing Street said the prime minister had thanked him for an "outstanding contribution" as a health minister.
He would take up a new role as health and life sciences ambassador, the statement said.
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Darzi, appointed in 2007 by Brown as part of the prime minister's planned broad-based government, led a year-long review of the National Health Service, publishing a report last year.
"I am deeply grateful to you for having given me the privilege of serving in your Government, the freedom to make tough but important decisions, and the support to make change happen," Darzi said in his resignation letter to Brown and released by Downing Street.
"As you know, I have maintained my busy clinical practice and research contributions during my time as a Minister.
"The time has now come for me to return to care for my patients, lead my academic department, and continue my research on a full time basis."
In a statement, Downing Street said the prime minister had thanked him for an "outstanding contribution" as a health minister.
He would take up a new role as health and life sciences ambassador, the statement said.
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