British PM reshuffles cabinet, names new Transport Secretary

London: London: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday appointed Geoff Hoon as Britain's new Transport Secretary as part of a reshuffle of cabinet positions.

Hoon was formely government Chief Whip, in charge of ensuring voting discipline among Brown's Labour Party lawmakers in parliament.

Former transport minster Ruth Kelly said last month she was stepping down to spend more time with her family and that she had no political differences with Brown.

Jones, a former head of the Confederation of British Industry and a member of the House of Lords, was made a minister soon after Brown took power in June last year, even though he was not a member of the Labour party.

Jones said on Thursday he had always intended to go at Brown's first reshuffle and his departure was not a comment on the prime minister's leadership.