Boateng: Quitting Commons

Treasury chief secretary Paul Boateng has announced he is to stand down from parliament at the general election.

The first black Cabinet minister has been appointed Britain's next high commissioner to South Africa.

The Brent South MP was first elected to the Commons in 1987 and has served in various government posts since Labour came to power in 1997.

Chancellor Gordon Brown said the posting would provide an opportunity for him to pursue his interest in African affairs.

"Over the past eight years Paul's contribution to the Treasury and the government has been exceptional - and it has been my privilege to have worked closely with him closely at the Treasury," he said.

"I congratulate Paul on his new appointment. He has displayed huge dedication to the cause of African development for many years and it is fitting that, in this year of challenge and opportunity for the African continent, Paul has been given such a pivotal role in our fight against poverty and injustice."

Boateng in turn paid tribute to Brown. "As a minister at the Treasury I have had the great pleasure of working with Gordon on two spending reviews and three Budgets," he said.

"It has been a personal honour to play a part in ensuring that our economy remains strong and that our programme of investment in and reform of public services delivers real and lasting improvement for all."

The prime minister said: "Paul has been both a valued colleague and a trusted friend for many years.

"He has made an immense contribution to public life in Britain and I am delighted that he has agreed to continue that service to the people of Britain by acting as their representative in South Africa."

Career

Boateng was promoted from number three to number two at the Treasury in 2002, becoming the first black minister to sit at the top table of government.

However he insisted that he did not want to be a flag-bearer. "My colour is part of me, but I don't choose to be defined by my colour," said Boateng.

Previously he had served as a junior minister at the Department of Health and the Home Office and in opposition as a spokesman on legal affairs.

A Ghanaian born barrister, he first came to prominence in London politics in the 1980s as a radical member of the then GLC.

His election in 1987 - where he declared "today Brent South, tomorrow Soweto" - saw him join the first wave of ethnic minority MPs which included Diane Abbot, Bernie Grant and Keith Vaz.

Despite his rhetoric, Boateng shifted quickly to the right once in parliament.

At the Home Office he caused controversy with his outspoken views on family views and strong oratory at the funeral of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor.

His late retirement from a seat with a 17,380 majority will provide an opportunity for Labour's ruling executive to "parachute" a candidate into the constituency.

The 53-year-old is the second Labour MP to be given a diplomatic post by Tony Blair in this parliament, in contravention of precedent.

Former Scotland secretary Helen Liddell was appointed the next high commissioner to Australia last year.

Both appointments will be taken up if and when Labour win the election.