British PM resumes reshuffle after chaotic start

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May sought to complete a government shake-up Tuesday without further blunders after a first day marred by farce and the refusal of some ministers to move.       Senior members of her Conservative party joined newspaper commentators in condemning the chaotic reshuffle of senior ministers on Monday, which was due to be followed by a reorganisation of the junior ranks on Tuesday.

Junior trade minister Mark Garnier was the first to go, tweeting that he was "very sad to have lost my job" but would support the government from the backbenches of the House of Commons.

Garnier was subject to an internal investigation late last year after asking his then secretary to buy sex toys, but was cleared of misconduct.

The reshuffle was intended to "refresh" May's team after a torrid 2017, when she called a snap election only to lose her parliamentary majority, and in which three of her senior ministers were forced to resign in scandals.

It was also briefed as an attempt to introduce new faces into the government, including more women, ethnic minorities and some newer MPs.

New Conservative chairman Brandon Lewis said there would be a "really good breath of fresh air coming in" among the lower ministerial ranks.