Simon Hart has resigned as Welsh Secretary, saying he wanted to help Boris Johnson “turn the ship around” but “we have passed the point where this is possible”.
He wrote in his resignation letter: “I have never been a massive fan of Ministerial resignations being the best means of forcing change.
“Colleagues have done their upmost in private and public to help you turn the ship around, but it is with sadness that I feel we have passed the point where this is possible."
Mr Hart's resignation was followed minutes later by the resignation of Health Minister Ed Argar.
Simon Hart
UK Parliament
In a letter to Boris Johnson shared on social media, Mr Argar said “change was needed” to deliver for the country.
He wrote: “From the earliest days of the pandemic as each day we learned more about the virus, how to counter it, how to treat it, and the the world-leading rollout of the vaccination programme, you have led our country’s response from the front.
“I have been, and am, proud to defend that record, and the opportunity to serve our country as part of that team, at such a moment is something I thank you for, and I have been honoured to serve you loyally since you became Prime Minister.
“However, I believe, with regret, that it is now the time to consider the future, and the ‘big call’ of how we face that future with integrity, and in that that context I fear that a change is needed in order for our Party to continue to deliver on our shared ambitions for the country.”