James Forsyth James Forsyth

How could Brown shuffle Hain back in?

There is a fascinating little dance going on between Peter Hain and Brown Central. As soon as the CPS decided they weren’t going to charge him, Hain was telling Sky News that “I only left government to clear this up, and would like to return, but that is a matter for the Prime Minister.” Brown repaid the compliment with his political spokesman saying, “We obviously welcome the fact that Peter Hain has been cleared in this matter. Peter has been a great servant of the Labour party and has much to offer in the future.”

Now, you could see this as merely an exchange of pleasantries. But as Andrew Sparrow notes Brown’s comments are sufficiently warm to imply that he will bring Hain back in some capacity or other. I suspect Hain will initially return in some kind of campaigning role.
 

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