Hazel Blears resigns as communities secretary

Hazel Blears has announced she will stand down as communities secretary in next week’s government reshuffle.

The minister, who as secretary of state for communities and local government oversees the government’s regeneration plans, has come under pressure after it was revealed that she did not pay capital gains tax when selling a property on which she had claimed the parliamentary second homes allowance.She later repaid £13,000 to HM Revenue and Customs.

The timing of her departure, less than two hours before Mr Brown faced the House of Commons at Prime Minister's Questions and 24 hours before voters go to the polls, was described by Shadow Commons Leader Theresa May as a calculated bid to destabilise the PM. Today's statement was notable for the absence of any expression of backing for the Prime Minister.