Kennedy replaced

The British minister for security and education in the North, Jane Kennedy, is leaving Belfast in a cabinet reshuffle caused by the resignation of immigrations minister Beverley Hughes.

Ms Hughes resigned over claims that she knew about a visa scam.

Ms Kennedy is being replaced as security minister for the North by its finance minister, Ian Pearson.

Barry Gardiner MP, who represents Brent North in London, becomes a new direct-rule minister in the North. An announcement on how other direct-rule portfolios will be reshuffled is to be made early next week.

Mr Gardiner is from Glasgow, has studied in the U.S, and was once a councillor and mayor in Cambridge.

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