Muslim row MP gets immigration job

Gordon Brown is expected to complete his most significant reshuffle since becoming Prime Minister today, with the high-profile post of immigration minister going to an MP who has previously been involved in rows over Muslim issues.

Phil Woolas sparked controversy after saying that Muslim women wearing the veil could spark "fear and resentment" among non-Muslims and warning that the practice of first-cousin marriage in Britain's Pakistani community was leading to high numbers of birth defects.

But he has also been one of Labour's most vocal critics of the British National Party, and last night said his efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of cousins marrying had won support from doctors and members of the Asian community in his Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency.

The final details of a reshuffle which saw the surprise return of Peter Mandelson to the Cabinet were initially expected to be unveiled yesterday.

But Downing Street held back on an announcement amid speculation that Mr Brown was struggling to find a role for prominent left-winger Jon Cruddas in a "unity government" representing all shades of Labour opinion.

Mr Cruddas, who fought a well-regarded campaign for the Labour deputy leadership last year, had apparently indicated he would be ready to accept a government post. But reports today suggested he had rejected offers of a job in order to remain on the backbenches.

Mr Mandelson - whose appointment ended a feud with Mr Brown dating back 14 years - insisted today he is now "joined at the hip" with the Prime Minister.

Labour left-wingers had warned that the new Business Secretary, a close ally of Tony Blair, would be a divisive figure in the Government.

But Mr Mandelson told The Observer: "What's important is what things are like now and will be in the future. And certainly from here on in we're joined at the hip.

"That's the only way you can be when you're serving together in the same government."

He acknowledged that his relations with the PM had been "a bit combative, probably a bit prickly" at times, but insisted they had "never entirely lost our friendship".

A rapprochement began when Mr Brown visited him during a trip to the European Commission in Brussels in March, and the two men have since held wide-ranging talks about Labour policy and presentation over the summer, he revealed. But he said he was still "very surprised" when he was invited to join the Cabinet on Thursday.

Mr Brown's closest Cabinet lieutenant, Ed Balls, accepted last night that Mr Mandelson's shock move from EU Trade Commissioner was "a risk", but insisted he backed the decision.

"Of course it's a risk, but at the same time it's also a great opportunity for our country and our government," said the Schools Secretary.

"Gordon Brown looked at this carefully and he decided it was worth that risk and I think that was the right thing to do."

The reshuffle will see Britain's first Muslim minister, Shahid Malik, promoted to a position in the Justice Ministry.

And Glasgow South MP Tom Harris, one of Westminster's most enthusiastic bloggers, has been sacked from his post as transport minister.

Mr Brown is also expected to reward two of the MPs behind the 2006 backbenchers' letter which forced Mr Blair into announcing his plans to quit Number 10, Rhondda's Chris Bryant and Sion Simon (Birmingham Erdington).

Unconfirmed reports suggest that former priest Mr Bryant has won promotion to the post of deputy to Leader of the Commons Harriet Harman, who he had already served as parliamentary private secretary, while Mr Simon will become a junior minister in the Universities Department.

Barbara Follett, wife of best-selling author Ken Follett, is expected to be made culture minister, replacing Margaret Hodge, who was reported to be seeking compassionate leave to look after her ill husband.