Boateng gets cabinet post in Byers reshuffle
Paul Boateng has been appointed chief secretary to the Treasury, the only other cabinet post in this office alongside the chancellor, in the wake of Stephen Byers' sudden resignation from the government.
The former Treasury financial secretary is currently engaged in getting the Finance Bill through its detailed examination by the Treasury Commons Committee.
Now he will hastily switch his attention to the triennial spending review which was being conducted by his predecessor Andrew Smith, who has become Work and Pensions secretary in place of Alistair Darling.
Darling, in turn, takes on Byers’ relinquished role as Transport secretary.
Boateng, 50, was born in Accra, Ghana, and is the first ever Black cabinet minister and appeared delighted as he emerged from 10 Downing Street after seeing prime minister.
But the barrister and former Home Office minister played down this achievement, saying that although ‘my colour is part of me’, he wanted to be judged on his achievements in post.
An announcement on Boateng’s replacement as financial secretary is expected soon.