Heappey quits as armed forces minister

James Heappey is set to leave his role as armed forces minister and quit as an MP.

As first reported by The Times, Government sources have confirmed that the Conservative MP for Wells, Somerset, will leave his role at the end of the month.

The veteran has also confirmed in a letter to his constituents that he will stand down from the Commons at the next general election.

He said while it was a "painful decision" not to contest the election for the newly-created seat he had been selected for, he wanted to "prioritise my family and pursue a different career".

"After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general election," he said in a letter shared on social media yesterday.

"I am enormously grateful to the new Wells & Mendip Hills Conservative Association for having selected me as their candidate at the special general meeting last year but, as you know, a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a different career."

.The Times quoted an anonymous Tory MP who said Mr Heappey had been on "resignation watch" from his ministerial role after telling colleagues privately that he was unhappy about the level of defence spending.

Downing Street, which confirmed the former soldier currently remains in his ministerial post, denied any fallout over the defence budget.

The Prime Minister's spokesman, pointing to Mr Heappey's stated desire to change career, said: "I don't believe there is any suggestion that this is linked to defence spending."

The Ministry of Defence said it would not be commenting.