But shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said Mr.Brown was himself responsible for the timing of his appearance, accusing the Prime Minister of dragging out the inquiry.

VOA: standard.2010.01.22

Mr Abe is still operating in Mr Koizumi's shadow (indeed, another Nikkei poll shows Mr Koizumi is still the public's top choice to replace Mr Abe).

ECONOMIST: Another blow to Japan's Shinzo Abe as a minister goes

Mr Herbert becomes shadow environment secretary, replacing Peter Ainsworth, who leaves the shadow cabinet.

BBC: Pickles chairman in Tory shake-up

He added that Mr Balls' shadow Treasury team "need to get out on the stump now and work even harder".

BBC: Peter Hain says Labour must perform better