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Clarke pays price for prisoners row
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Charles Clarke has been sacked as British Home Secretary in a major Cabinet reshuffle following poor local election results and a row over the release of foreign prisoners without checks. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Friday he had "offered him a number of other Cabinet posts" but Clarke said he wanted to leave the government. Clarke said it was with "deep regret" that he was leaving the job after just 16 months but the prime minister had told him that keeping him at the Home Office (interior ministry) would "stand in the way" of reform in the wake of the prisoners scandal. Clarke apologized after his ministry allowed 1,023 foreign prisoners, including rapists and murderers, to walk free without considering them for deportation once they had completed their sentences. Blair, who pledged to cut crime and expel foreigners the authorities regard as a security threat, told parliament last week the system had been "seriously and fundamentally at fault" for years. However he vowed this week that Clarke would remain in his job. Standing outside the Home Office in central London on Friday though, 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 judgement, I entirely accept his right to make it." He said he had sought to bring reform to the department and its "long-standing and deep-seated problems." But in doing this he had "uncovered areas where still more and faster change is needed." He went on: "One such issue is how to deal with foreign national prisoners for which I have taken overall responsibility and on which I have staked my reputation." Clarke added: "I do not think it would be appropriate to remain in government in these circumstances and so I shall return to the backbenches where I will be a strong and active supporter of this government and the leadership of Tony Blair for his full Parliamentary term." Blair later released a statement saying he was "very sorry Charles Clarke has decided to leave the government and return to the backbenches." "Charles has always been an excellent minister and highly valued colleague in a series of important posts. "He took on the very difficult job of home secretary with his customary energy and determination and can look with pride at the reforms he has driven within the Home Office. "In particular, he was a tower of strength in aftermath of 7/7. "I also know how hard and effectively he has been working to sort out the problems that have arisen in relation to foreign national prisoners. "However, I felt that it was very difficult, given the level of genuine public concern, for Charles to continue in this post. I was keen not to lose Charles' talents from government and offered him a number of other Cabinet posts. "But I understand his decision to leave the government and know he will continue to be a major figure in our party." 
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