TOM Harris has been sacked as Rail Minister in Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s reshuffle, Downing Street has confirmed.

Highly regarded Education Minister Lord Adonis moves into the Department for Transport in a new role, with a special responsibility for infrastructure, while Gillingham and Rainham MP Paul Clark is appointed a Junior Minister, with Geoff Hoon in overall charge as Secretary of State.

However it is still unclear how all the responsibilities will be shared out, and whether either Mr Clark or Lord Adonis will be solely in charge of the rail portfolio.

Mr Clark said: “I am absolutely delighted to be asked by the PM to be a Minister for Transport.

“I have always said it is great honour to be elected as a Member of Parliament, doubly so to represent my home town. But now being asked to be a minister in such an important aspect of all our lives – whether it is as a rail commuter, driving on our road network, navigating our coasts and waterways, utilising cycle paths, bus routes or footpaths – I am extremely privileged to have this opportunity.

“I will be doing all that I can to help deliver reliable and efficient transport networks, supporting economic growth, our communities, contributing to tackling climate change and enhancing opportunities for all sections of our society”.

Glasgow South MP Mr Harris was regarded highly by many in the rail industry, and there is speculation he made have paid the price for indiscreet comments on his blog, especially one about the credit crunch which hit the headlines back in June.

He said he was told the news by the PM in a phone call to his Glasgow home.

"Obviously I'm disappointed; I really enjoyed being a minister, particularly in the Department for Transport,” Mr Harris said.