Jones to stand down as trade minister

Trade minister Lord Jones has confirmed he is to stand down before the next general election.

The Times newspaper reported earlier on Tuesday that the former CBI director general, a controversial addition to Gordon Brown's government last year, would quit because he could not advocate voting Labour.

The peer was said to have told an audience of businessmen earlier this year that he wanted to avoid being asked to back the party during the election campaign.

But speaking at a trade conference in London, Lord Jones said there was nothing new in the report.

"I've never claimed to be a political animal and as you know I believe trade and investment should transcend the factionalism of party politics," he said.

"But one thing I'm absolutely clear on - I am 100 per cent committed to this job and to the prime minister.

"I am a supporter of Gordon Brown and I believe in what he is doing.

"I will continue to give him personally my full support and I am delighted to be doing this important job for my country. My plan now, as always, is to get on with the job."

Brown also said he was "doing a good job" and would be "staying on as a trade minister".

"He came in because he supported me and will support me," he said.

Lord Jones was one of a number of non-party appointments made by Brown last year.

But while he was appointed to the government by the prime minister as a Labour peer, he has unlike others refused to join the Labour Party.

He is also thought to have found life in government and Parliament frustrating compared to the private sector.