Prime Minister Tony Blair will appoint a new Works and Pensions Secretary after the surprise resignation of Andrew Smith yesterday.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Smith said he wanted to leave his post "to devote more time to the responsibilities I enjoy in my constituency and to my family".

Mr Blair tried to persuade Mr Smith to remain in the Cabinet but the Secretary of State - known as an ally of Chancellor Gordon Brown - insisted that he wanted to quit.

The shock resignation comes amid widespread speculation about a Government reshuffle, expected later this week.

Mr Smith, 53, was appointed to the top job in the Department for Work and Pensions in 2002 after having served as a junior education minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

He was seen as a "safe pair of hands" but was criticised by some observers for a lack of flair and a failure to make an impact on the increasingly sensitive issue of pensions.

In his letter, Mr Smith said: "Over the summer, I have discussed with my family the contribution I wish to make in public life.

"I have chosen to leave the Government and to devote more time to the responsibilities I enjoy in my constituency and to my family."

He added: "I am grateful to you for the opportunity to have served and for your having asked me to stay on.

"I have, though, come to this decision and my mind is settled."

In his letter of reply, Mr Blair praised Mr Smith as "an excellent colleague and a first-class minister who will be greatly missed".

He wrote: "I am sorry you have taken the decision to resign."

Tuesday September 07, 2004