Two key rivals for the Premiership - Alan Johnson and John Reid - were also given hefty promotions. Last night Westminster was stunned by the reshuffle’s ferocity.

Mr Clarke returned before midnight and turned down all three - then quit in disgust. He publicly clashed with Mr Blair by declaring he "disagreed" with the PM’s judgment.

But the respect he built up as Foreign Secretary was shown when he received a call from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: "It was, from her perspective, a bittersweet call."

Ms Kelly - damned over paedophiles in schools - was given the new role of Communities and Local Government minister. She was replaced by ex-Postie Alan Johnson.

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