Reid to resign from Cabinet

Mr Reid disclosed his decision as he threw his weight behind Gordon Brown's leadership ambitions, saying there was "no eagerness" in the Labour Party for a contest.

"Therefore, I have decided I will not put myself forward as a candidate," he told BBC1's The Politics Show.

He added that he wanted to give Mr Brown the opportunity to bring new people into the Cabinet.

"I intend to vote for and support Gordon Brown, to put through the changes to the Home Office, then to stand down - as Tony Blair goes - from the Cabinet and to give maximum opportunity to Gordon to bring in new people," Mr Reid said.

Mr Reid said his intention was to stand down from the Cabinet "towards the end of June" as Mr Blair bows out from No 10.

The leading Blairite said he had discussed the move with the Chancellor, who had assured him there would have been a place for him in a Brown government.

But Mr Reid said he had decided he would serve Labour best by quitting the Government and supporting Mr Brown from the backbenches in the years ahead.

"In my view it is better for the Labour Party, the leadership and the new prime minister that he be given the maximum flexibility," he said.

Mr Reid suggested that he was not jumping before being pushed and said he would not be portrayed as a divisive figure. He added it was not for him to give advice to the Chancellor on his style.