Simon Clarke leaves Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Simon Clarke has left his position as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities after serving 49 days in the office.

Announcing his departure on Twitter, Mr Clarke, who was the Department’s eighth Secretary of State in 10 years, said: "It has been a great privilege to serve as Secretary of State @luhc, working alongside some terrific people to #LevelUp our communities."

He added: "It has only been while holding these positions that I've come to appreciate the full weight of responsibility that ministers bear, and we are deeply fortunate to be supported in this by our civil servants and special advisers (and never forget them on days like today)."

The MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, who came out in support of Boris Johnson's return to Downing Street last week before Mr Johnson announced he would not run, lent his support to Rishi Sunak and urged the Conservative party to unite under him.

Clarke's exit comes amid a raft of ministerial resignations as the incoming Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, selects his new Cabinet this afternoon.

Justice Secretary, Brandon Lewis, has also resigned from his position.

In his letter of resignation, Lewis said: "I have enjoyed working with many brilliant and dedicated teams of officials across the Ministry of Justice. Our frontline prisons, probation and courts staff truly are hidden heroes".

He later added: "It has been a tough time for our country, and the criminal justice system is no different. In my first days as Lord Chancellor, I met the Criminal Bar Association and agreed a new package that has brought an end to the criminal barristers' strike that was paralysing our courts.

"We have taken a big step forward in confronting the courts backlog and ensuring that victims get access to the justice that they deserve."

Adam Carey