HEREFORD MP Paul Keetch has stepped down from the Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet.

Mr Keetch, who has been the party's defence spokesman since 2001, had requested the move as part of the Liberal Democrats' post-election reshuffle.

He was one of four Lib Dems to quit the front bench as the party's shadow cabinet was reduced in number from 25 to 21.

Mr Keetch has held a series of jobs since his election as MP for Hereford in 1997. Since then, he has been a spokesman on employment and training, health, foreign affairs and, finally, defence.

A Lib Dem spokesman said Mr Keetch would 'continue to play a prominent role in Parliament and in the Parliamentary party'.

Mike Moore, MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk, has now moved from the foreign affairs portfolio to become the party's main defence spokesman.

Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said yesterday's reshuffle would ensure the party continued to move forward after its 'excellent' General Election result on Thursday, May 5.

He said: "I am confident that we will continue to provide a real alternative to the Labour Government as the new Parliamentary session gets under way.

"We have brought together a superb team of individuals, combining experience with youth."