Hain sacking 'has not weakened' the Government

Updated 15.45 Fri Jan 25 2008

Keywords: World Economic Forum, WTO, Davos, Switzerland, Gordon Brown

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted that his administration has not been knocked off course by the resignation of Peter Hain and is "getting on with the business of government".

Speaking to reporters in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos, where he is attending the World Economic Forum, Mr Brown said that the former work and pensions secretary did the right thing by quitting when the Electoral Commission referred allegations surrounding his handling of donations to police.

"Mr Hain did the right thing by resigning and we get on with the job" - Gordon Brown

But he insisted that Mr Hain's departure would not deflect the Government from its priorities of ensuring economic stability, reforming public services and sorting out the global financial turbulence of recent months.

Mr Brown said: "The most important thing people should know is we are getting on with the business of government.

"Mr Hain did the right thing by resigning and we get on with the job. The job of government is to get on with the business of making sure that the economy is more stable, making sure that jobs and prosperity are guaranteed, making sure at the same time we continue the momentum of public sector reform agenda."

Mr Brown dismissed accusations that he "dithered" by failing to sack Mr Hain before he was forced into resignation.

"I always said - and I think this is the right thing to do - that we would wait until the Electoral Commission itself reported," he said.

"They had the facts, they were looking at them, they have made their judgment and now we get on with business."

Earlier, Mr Brown urged countries to be more open to trade and investment to avoid destabilising the global economy.

He said: "We have to be less protectionist. I think there is a danger. I see it in parts of Europe where people resort to protectionism."

Mr Brown also referred to long-delayed negotiations over a World Trade Organisation deal, saying: "The challenge is to show we can make the world trade talks move forward."

On Saturday, trade ministers from several trading powers are due to meet in Davos to discuss the chances of a WTO breakthrough.