Senior Lib-Dem quits as Home Office Minister...

Norman Baker has quit as a Home Office minister, complaining that working under Home Secretary Theresa May was like "walking through mud".



The Liberal Democrat MP accused the Tory Cabinet minister of viewing her coalition colleagues as "a cuckoo in the nest rather than part of government".

His decision comes days after he became embroiled in a fresh disagreement over drugs policy and accused the Tories of suppressing a report which backed his case for a review of the current law.

"They have looked upon it as a Conservative department in a Conservative government, whereas in my view it's a Coalition department in a Coalition government," he told the Independent.

"That mindset has framed things, which means I have had to work very much harder to get things done even where they are what the Home Secretary agrees with and where it has been helpful for the Government and the department.

"There comes a point when you don't want to carry on walking through mud and you want to release yourself from that."

Mr Baker's move to the Home Office from Transport in October last year was highly controversial as the MP had previously written a book claiming that David Kelly was murdered and the security services then staged a cover-up.

But the Lib Dem leadership said they hoped it would ''sharpen our campaigning edge'' in a department where the two parties' views were often at odds over issues of civil liberties.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg expressed regret at the loss of "one of the most effective ministers" in the Government but said he "fully" understood why he was stepping down.

In his formal resignation letter to the party leader, Mr Baker revealed that he had made clear in August that he was ready to quit - and pinned the blame squarely on his coalition colleagues.

"You will recognise that it has been particularly challenging being the only Lib Dem in the Home Office, which I see a newspaper the other day likened to being the only hippy at an Iron Maiden concert," he said.

Norman who?

Theresa May (and the rest of the rabble that make up the Home Office) is simply not fit for purpose. May is, (IMO) one of the worst ever Home Secretaries and I believe she has been promoted well over her very mediocre abilities.

...being the only Lib Dem in the Home Office, which I see a newspaper the other day likened to being the only hippy at an Iron Maiden concert

Gotta love that quote