KEETCH DELIGHTED BY LIB DEM RESHUFFLE

5.03.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th May 2005

Hereford's MP Paul Keetch says he is "delighted" at the Liberal Democrats reshuffle that sees him give up his role as Lib Dem Shadow Defence Secretary. The announcement, made this afternoon by Leader Charles Kennedy, stating that Paul had asked to leave the Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet, sees Scottish MP Mike Moore take over from Mr Keetch on Defence.

Paul Keetch is now being nominated by the Liberal Democrats to serve on the prestigious House of Common Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

Paul said:

"After six years in the Lib Dem Defence team, the last four as Shadow Defence Secretary, I am delighted to be standing down and moving to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. This appointment needs to be confirmed by the House of Commons, but it will widen my role in the Defence and Foreign Affairs field. I will continue to represent Britain on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

"I wrote to Charles last week and told him I was happy to move on and we spoke over the weekend. I wish Mike Moore every success in his new role as my successor and will give him all the help I can.

"As the Lib Dem Shadow Defence Secretary through 9/11, the Afghanistan War and in the run up to and including the war in Iraq, I have been fortunate to be at the very centre of decision making for my Party.

"I will continue to hold the Government to account on its Foreign Policy as a member of the Select Committee and welcome my new Parliamentary role as opposed to a limited Party role. My first task remains however to represent the people of Hereford".

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