PM Shapes New Team As Cull Sees Hague Exit

William Hague is stepping down as Foreign Secretary as David Cameron's Government reshuffle gets under way.

Mr Hague, 53, will become Leader of the House Of Commons before he stands down as the MP for Richmond, Yorkshire at the next General Election in 2015.

Downing Street said he would also help to co-ordinate Government policy, while also becoming a "leading campaigner in key constituencies, particularly in the north of England".

He will also be the Prime Minister's special representative on preventing sexual violence in conflict, where he has been working with UN special envoy and Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie.

Mr Hague with Angelina Jolie and US Secretary of State John Kerry

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond will become the new Foreign Secretary, according to Sky sources.

Meanwhile, Ken Clarke is retiring from Government and other high-profile Tory MPs have emerged as casualties of the reshuffle, including Policing minister Damian Green and Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC.

Mr Clarke, 74, is stepping down as minister without portfolio, bringing to an end a front bench career stretching back to 1972.

Mr Cameron is expected to promote more women into key posts ahead of next year's general election.

Mr Hague photographed in Downing Street on Monday

Those tipped for promotion include employment minister Esther McVey - who was also seen entering No 10 - education minister Liz Truss and ministerial aide Penny Mordaunt.

Mr Hague said: "By the time of the General Election next year, I will have served 26 years in the House of Commons and it will be 20 years since I first joined the Cabinet.

"In government there is a balance to strike between experience on the one hand and the need for renewal on the other, and I informed the Prime Minister last summer that I would not be a candidate at the next General Election. 

"Accordingly I am stepping aside as Foreign Secretary, in order to focus all my efforts on supporting the government in Parliament and gaining a Conservative victory in the General Election."

Ken Clarke pictured arriving at Number 10

The Prime Minister said: "William Hague has been one of the leading lights of the Conservative Party for a generation, leading the party and serving in two cabinets.

"Not only has he been a first class Foreign Secretary - he has also been a close confidante, a wise counsellor and a great friend.

"He will remain as First Secretary of State and my de facto political deputy in the run up to the election - and it is great to know that he will be a core part of the team working to ensure an outright Conservative victory at the next election."

Esther McVey, with Iain Duncan Smith, may be promoted

Mr Damian Green has been sacked in a "shock" move and Mr Grieve has also left the government, Sky sources say.

Welsh Secretary David Jones, Transport minister Stephen Hammond, and Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd are also out.

International Development Minister Alan Duncan is standing down at his own request, while Universities minister David Willetts has also stood down and declared his intention to quit as an MP next year.

Mr Jones is set to be replaced by Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb, according to Sky sources.

Owen Paterson is rumoured to be heading to the exit as Environment Secretary.

Sky's Political Editor Adam Boulton said: "It's the biggest upheaval in David Cameron's government since he came to power in 2010.

"He is clearly cutting out a lot of - as people are saying - 'pale, male and stale' ministers.

"A lot of them frankly are thought to be doing quite good jobs in their ministerial positions."

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