BARONESS Kinnock has been switched from her post as Europe Minister to take responsibility within the Foreign Office for Africa, Downing Street announced today.

Although Lady Kinnock will continue to speak on European affairs in the House of Lords, junior Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant has been handed overall responsibility for European affairs - a downgrading of the post, as he remains a Parliamentary Under-secretary.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman described the changes as "housekeeping’’ in the wake of the departure from government of Lord Malloch-Brown, who was Africa Minister.