Home Secretary Charles Clarke was sacked from the Government this morning.
The under-fire secretary said Prime Minister Tony Blair had ruled retaining him at the Home Office would "stand in the way" of reform, following on from the foreign prisoners scandal.
After being fired, Mr Clarke said: "The Prime Minister, as is his right and responsibility, has made the judgment that my continued occupation of the post of Home Secretary is likely to stand in the way of continued reform that remains necessary.
"Although I do not agree with that judgment, I entirely accept his right to make it."
A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Clarke turned down offers of a series of other jobs.
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