Its bid was approved by another regulator Monitor and signed off in June 2007 by Andy Burnham, who was then a junior minister but later became health secretary and now holds the shadow post in opposition.

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And the position of shadow Europe minister, retained by eurosceptic MP Mark Francois, has been elevated to a shadow cabinet post.

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Her own personal rituals also seem to underline her suitability for the post of shadow health secretary.

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