Exeter cabinet meeting cancelled

Mr Brown's Exeter visit was to include a cabinet away-day

Gordon Brown has cancelled a cabinet meeting due to be held in Devon on Friday because of bad weather.

The prime minister was to make a two-day trip to the south and south west of England, beginning on Thursday, visiting Portsmouth and Exeter.

The cabinet meeting, due to be held in Exeter, will be held in London instead.

Mr Brown's spokesman said the visit was put off because of concerns of diverting police and other resources from dealing with the impact of snow.

The meeting was due to be the latest of Mr Brown's "away-day" cabinets held outside Downing Street.

His spokesman said: "Taking account of the continuing poor weather conditions and the desire not to divert the authorities' attentions from what needs to be done locally, he has decided to postpone his planned visit.

"This is regrettable. He was very much looking forward to meeting local businesses and discussing local issues on the ground."

Mr Brown did speak on Southampton's BBC Radio Solent for a long-scheduled appearance on the station's phone-in show on Thursday.

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