Clegg reshuffles Webb, the man he 'can't stand'

Nick Clegg has ousted Steve Webb from his post as the Liberal Democrats' energy and climate change spokesman, in a reshuffle aimed at sharpening the party's performance.

A month ago, the Liberal Democrat leader was allegedly overheard making critical remarks about Mr Webb during a flight from London to Inverness. A Sunday Mirror journalist aboard quoted Mr Clegg as saying: "He's a problem. I can't stand the man... We have to move him. We need someone with good ideas. At the moment, they just don't add up".

Although Mr Clegg later reassured Mr Webb he had been misquoted, his reshuffle suggests his reported remarks did reflect his views. Allies insisted Mr Webb had been an effective critic of the Government on green issues. The climate change brief, an important one in a party with strong environmental credentials, was handed to Simon Hughes, the former Liberal Democrat president.

Mr Webb kept his place on the front bench but was moved back to his old job as work and pensions spokesman. Party officials insisted the change was a "horses for courses" move, citing Mr Webb's expertise on welfare.

Chris Huhne, whom Mr Clegg reportedly said was not "emotionally intelligent" enough for his home affairs post, lost the justice part of his brief. David Howarth was promoted to justice spokesman. A party source said: "Chris asked Nick to formalise David Howarth's position. David has been doing this job in the home affairs team very effectively and Chris's oversight of the justice portfolio was only a temporary arrangement."

David Heath, who quit the frontbench last March over his refusal to obey the leadership in a Commons vote on the EU's Lisbon Treaty, was recalled to the frontbench team as shadow Commons Leader. Susan Kramer stood down from the frontbench to concentrate on holding her marginal Richmond Park seat and to lead the party's campaign against the expansion of Heathrow airport. The party set up an "economic recovery group" to co-ordinate its response to the recession.