Armed Forces Minister James Shippey will resign to join Conservative MPs at the next general election.

The MP for Wells in Somerset will remain in government until Rishi Sunak wants him to resign – likely during the Easter recess, a source close to him told Sky News .

They added that his decision was for personal reasons and had nothing to do with defense spending issues.

Shippy said in a letter to his local association seen by Sky News that he had concluded “it was time to step away from politics, prioritize my family and pursue a different career”.

Rishi Sunak faces pressure from colleagues increase defense spending.

However, a Ministry of Defense (MOD) source also stressed that this had nothing to do with Mr Shippy’s decision.

Follow political live broadcast:
Labor accuses Sunak of being ‘fearful to run away’

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be released soon.

Please refresh the page for the full version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on your smartphone or tablet sky news app.You can also follow @SkyNews X on or subscribe to our YouTube channel Get the latest news.