Armed forces minister James Heappey will stand down at the next general election, joining an exodus of Tory MPs.
The MP for the Wells constituency in Somerset will continue with his government position until Rishi Sunak wishes him to step back – likely during the Easter recess, a source close to him told Sky News.
The reasons for his decision are personal and not linked to a row over defence spending, they added.
In a letter to his local association, seen by Sky News, Mr Heappey said he had concluded that it was “time to step away from politics, prioritise my family, and pursue a different career”.
It comes as Rishi Sunak faces pressure from his colleagues to increase defence spending.
However, a Ministry of Defence (MOD) source also stressed this was not linked to Mr Heappey’s decision.
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