British cabinet reshuffle after minister's resignation over Iraq

LONDON (AFP) Apr 04, 2003
British Prime Minister Tony Blair named a new parliamentary leader Friday after Robin Cook resigned from the post in protest over the Iraq war, Blair's office announced.

Labour Party chairman and minister without portfolio John Reid has replaced Cook as leader of the House of Commons, the lower house of the British parliament. The leader is a go-between between the government and the members of parliament.

Pensions Minister Ian McCartney replaces Reid as Labour Party chairman.

Blair's office has not yet appointed a new pensions minister.

Cook, who was foreign secretary from 1997 to 2001, resigned from his position as leader of the Commons on March 17 -- three days before the start of the Iraq war -- calling the US-British conflict "bloody and unjust".

SPACE.WIRE