Gordon Brown's Cabinet reshuffle was in full swing in the wake of James Purnell's shock resignation – but most of the top ministers were expected to remain in place.
The threat to the Prime Minister appeared to recede after sources confirmed that Alan Johnson had accepted a move from Health Secretary to Home Secretary, a position vacated this week by Jacqui Smith.
As part of the shake-up, there were reports that John Hutton would stand down as Defence Secretary and as MP, citing family reasons. His successor would be Shaun Woodward, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the reports claim.
Mr Hutton was one of Tony Blair's closest allies, and was known to have private reservations about Mr Brown becoming leader. However, he has been loyal since becoming a surprise inclusion in Mr Brown's first Cabinet in 2007. He was moved to Defence last October from his position as Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
What may be most notable is the number of Cabinet ministers who are to stay in their jobs.
Chancellor Alistair Darling will remain in his post despite speculation that Mr Brown wanted to shift him elsewhere. Sources also indicated that Jack Straw will stay as Justice Secretary.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband is expected to remain in his post. Lord Mandelson is expected to stay on as Business Secretary, and have responsibility for science added to his portfolio.
Mr Miliband said of Mr Purnell's resignation as Work and Pensions Secretary: "He is obviously a big and serious person and I think it is a loss to Government. However, I don't share the judgment that he made."
In a blurring of lines between politics and reality television, Sir Alan Sugar is expected to be appointed to a new position in the Brown government. It is understood the businessman and star of the Apprentice programme is expected to become Lord Sugar once he is given a seat in the House of Lords and assigned as an "enterprise czar" in the government.
The shake-up may bide time for a Prime Minister clearly on his back foot after a series of defections by some of his close aides. In addition to the departures of Mr Purnell and Ms Smith, Hazel Blears this week announced her resignation as Communities Secretary.
The Prime Minister's influence was also being challenged through an e-mail campaign being circulated among MPs. Despite the efforts of backbench plotters, many of whom wished to remain anonymous, other ministers believed there was not enough support for an attempt to oust Mr Brown.
In his message, Mr Purnell asked Mr Brown to stand aside to give Labour a "fighting chance of winning".
A statement issued after midnight by Downing Street said Mr Brown was "disappointed by the resignation". It said the Prime Minister learned of the decision shortly before 10pm.
A stream of swift and steady support for Mr Brown's leadership followed into the early hours. Andy Burnham, Tessa Jowell and Liam Byrne all voiced support for the Prime Minister. Most notably, Mr Milliband, the Foreign Secetary and a close friend of Mr Purnell's, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Prime Minister.
A former favourite within the Blair government, Mr Purnell told his current boss in a stunning letter: "We both love the Labour Party. I have worked for it for 20 years and you for far longer. We know we owe it everything and it owes us nothing. I owe it to our party to say what I believe no matter how hard that may be.
"I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more not less likely.
"The party was here long before us, and we want it to be here long after we have gone. We must do the right thing by it.
"We need to show that we are prepared to fight to be a credible government and have the courage to offer an alternative future. I am therefore calling on you to stand aside to give our party a fighting chance of winning."
Mr Purnell succeeded Peter Hain at Work and Pensions on January 24, 2008. It was on that date that Mr Purnell took part in Mr Brown's first significant Cabinet reshuffle, moving from the role of Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, a position he held since June 2007.
The 39-year-old Mr Purnell has been MP in the English constituency of Stalybridge and Hyde since 2001. Until his resignation, he the youngest member of the Brown Cabinet.
Last updated: 05 June 2009, 11:26
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