Carter appointed communications minister

Former Ofcom chief Stephen Carter has been appointed minister for communications, technology and broadcasting in the House of Lords as part of Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet reshuffle (October 3).

The move follows reports that Carter, Brown’s chief strategy advisor, had been sidelined and was ready to resign.

The former JWT managing director and chief executive of media regulator Ofcom has been given a peerage as part of the reshuffle. Carter joined Brown’s team in January this year after a stint as chief executive of PR company Brunswick.

Peter Mandelson has also been brought back in to the cabinet – for a third time – as secretary of sate for business, replacing John Hutton. Andy Burnham, secretary of state for culture, media and sport keeps his post in the reshuffle.

Last month, it was speculated that Carter would shift into a new role, after reportedly threatening to resign, including possibly moving to the Lords.

In March, Downing Street hired former JWT executive David Muir as director of political strategy and special adviser.