Government e-commerce guru quits

E-envoy Alex Allan is giving up his job.

By BBC News Online internet reporter Mark Ward

Alex Allan, the government's e-envoy is quitting his job after less than a year in the post.

Mr Allan cited personal reasons for his unexpected resignation, saying that his wife has been ill and he wants to spend more time with her.

A Cabinet Office statement said he will leave the post by the end of this month.

He expressed regrets at having to stand down so soon. "I have found the job hugely stimulating and it has not been an easy decision," he said.

"I am sure my team and my successor will carry the Government's programme forward with vigour, backed by the clear commitment shown at all levels of Government."

Mr Allan was appointed by the Government to co-ordinate policy on e-commerce among different ministries and departments, as well as evangelise about the importance of the internet to Whitehall.

Keen web user

In private Mr Allan was a keen web user, and maintained a website of his own that was a database of lyrics of songs by the US band, the Grateful Dead.

Before becoming the government's net supremo, Mr Allan was British High Commissioner to Australia from November 1997 to January 2000.

Earlier, he had been principal private secretary to John Major and then Tony Blair. Prior to that, he was a career civil servant who worked mainly in the Treasury.

The Government is planning to hold an open competition for a successor to Mr Allan which will be launched in a couple of weeks.

Candidates are expected to be sought from outside the Government.