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21/06/2007
Ashdown rejects Brown overture
Lord Ashdown has said that prime minister in-waiting Gordon Brown offered him a seat on the cabinet as Northern Ireland Secretary of State.
The former leader of the Liberal Democrats said that the offer had come after Wednesday's announcement by party leader Sir Menzies Campbell that no Lib Dem would be part of a Brown's government.
Lord Ashdown said that he could only have considered the post, if he had the party leader's approval.
It is understood that a meeting between Mr Brown and Sir Menzies on Monday touched on junior cabinet roles in government for senior Lib Dem members.
However, while there has been speculation that Lib Dems have been offered cabinet post previously under Mr Blair, the two parties remain fierce rivals in national and local polls.
(SP/JM)
The former leader of the Liberal Democrats said that the offer had come after Wednesday's announcement by party leader Sir Menzies Campbell that no Lib Dem would be part of a Brown's government.
Lord Ashdown said that he could only have considered the post, if he had the party leader's approval.
It is understood that a meeting between Mr Brown and Sir Menzies on Monday touched on junior cabinet roles in government for senior Lib Dem members.
However, while there has been speculation that Lib Dems have been offered cabinet post previously under Mr Blair, the two parties remain fierce rivals in national and local polls.
(SP/JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies developing in places for a time overnight. Clouding over again from the west by sunrise. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
