THE Chancellor of Southampton Solent University has been appointed by new Prime Minister Gordon Brown to head up the UK's home security, it was announced today.

In a surprise move by Mr Brown, Admiral Sir Alan West has been made the Home Office Minister for Security, Terrorism and Police, announced as police continued their investigations into a car bomb planted in London this morning.

Sir Alan, the former head of the Royal Navy, will take over the role vacated by Tony McNulty MP and will see him take charge of everything from counter-terrorism activities to police reforms.

In doing so he becomes the first non-elected politician to take up the position, a move that was hinted at by Gordon Brown when he took over the keys to Number 10 Downing Street on Wednesday.

Sir Alan's appointment was announced by new Home Secretary Jacqui Smith following an emergency cabinet meeting held this morning to discuss the new bomb threat to the nations capital.

He was appointed as Solent University's first ever Chancellor last June.