'Liar' Byers quits his post

Stephen Byers has dramatically resigned - declaring he was doing the the right thing for the Government and for the Labour Party.

At a hastily-convened Downing Street press conference the Transport Secretary said he recognised that he had become a distraction for the Government and that by remaining in office he would damage it.

After months of fierce criticism of his handling of the transport system and repeated claims that he had lied both to MPs and voters, Mr Byers eventually felt compelled to resign.

He said he stood by his major policy decisions and he insisted he was not a liar. But he added: "I know I have made mistakes."

In a statement issued through Downing Street Tony Blair said he fully understood Mr Byers's decision.

The Prime Minister said: "He has endured a huge amount of criticism, much of it unfair whilst continuing to face up to the difficult policy decisions required within his department."

The timing of Mr Byers's resignation, however, took Westminster by surprise as it came unheralded and with the House of Commons not in session. Whitehall was immediately engulfed in speculation about who might get his job. Downing Street announced that a mini-reshuffle tomorrow will decide who gets one of the trickiest and most controversial posts in the Government.

In an unusual move Mr Byers, who will return to the back benches, made his exit with a televised statement in No.10 in which he admitted the recent string of controversies surrounding him had proved a "distraction" to the Government.

He added "I know I have made mistakes but I have tried at all times to behave honourably and in the interests of the British people. The people who know me best know I am not a liar."

It emerged that Mr Byers went to see the Prime Minister yesterday to offer his resignation as he belatedly admitted his position in the Government had become untenable. He has been beset by criticism since his department was thrown into turmoil by the departure of his press secretary Martin Sixsmith and special adviser Jo Moore.

Mr Byers added "I know the political obituaries will be full of talk of spin doctors and emails." This was a bitter reference to the saga of Mr Sixsmith and Ms Moore - the latter infamously suggested that bad news should be "buried" on 11 September.

Mr Byers asked that he should be remembered for other achievements including his time as Education Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. But he added: "By remaining in office I damage the Government. I cannot allow that to continue."

The latest crises to beset him included the fatal rail tragedy at Potters Bar and doubts about his role, when Trade and Industry Secretary, in the takeover of Express Newspapers by Richard Desmond.

After his statement Mr Byers took no questions from newsmen before departing.

In a statement issued through Downing Street Prime Minister Tony Blair said he understood and respected Mr Byers' decision.

It said: "As I have said many times in the past few months, when it comes to important policy questions, Steve has taken the right decisions for the future."

"He has held four different and important ministerial positions and can be proud of the part he has played in delivering on the Government's agenda.

"When he came to see me on Monday, he was clear that in the interests of the Government, he had to leave. I understand and respect that decision.

"He has endured a huge amount of criticism, much of it unfair, whilst continuing to face up to the difficult policy decisions required within his department.

"I am in no doubt that he will continue to serve his constituents, and the Labour party, with commitment and conviction."

Martin Sixsmith, the former BBC correspondent turned Whitehall communications chief whose departure from Mr Byers' department added to the negative publicity surrounding the former Secretary of State, said the way Mr Byers' ministerial career had come to an end was a cause for regret.

Mr Sixsmith said: "I am officially still Stephen Byers' director of communications until next Friday.

"I cannot make any comment on this matter, except to say that it is a pity it all ended like this, and if things had been done differently, the outcome could have been very different as well."

TUC general secretary John Monks said he could understand Mr Byers's decision to resign, adding: "Despite his recent difficulties, Stephen's stock remains high in the trade union movement for standing up for passengers with his tough decision on Railtrack and for his record at the DTI.

"In all my dealings with him, I have found him straightforward, decent and committed to the interests of people at work."

Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "We didn't agree about the financing of London Underground but I was able to work well with him on many other issues.

"Stephen Byers did not create the transport crisis, he inherited it after 25 years of underinvestment. The incoming Transport Secretary now has an opportunity to look again at the future of the London Underground."

Byers: the charge sheet
Read Byers' resignation statement
Has Byers done the right thing?