Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster John Hutton has been appointed as the new secretary of state for work and pensions.
The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed Hutton has been handed the DWP top post. International Development Secretary Hilary Benn had been rumoured to be the man who would succeed David Blunkett as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Benn, the son of former Labour party MP Tony Benn, is seen as a forthright Blairite and close ally of the Prime Minister. It had earlier been believed John Reid, the current defence secretary, might take over as Reid is considered another ally of Tony Blair and was also seen and a Blairite enforcer. If you have any comments you would like to add...
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