Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom resigns from Government over Brexit

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom has resigned from the Government with a "heavy heart", saying she no longer believes its Brexit approach will deliver on the referendum result.

Mrs Leadsom said she was "proud" to have served in Theresa May's Government since 2016, and had stayed in the Cabinet to "shape and fight for Brexit" despite some "uncomfortable compromises along the way".

But she said: "I no longer believe that our approach will deliver on the referendum result."

Mrs Leadsom said she did not believe that the UK will be "truly sovereign" through the deal proposed, and said a second referendum would be "dangerously divisive".

She also said there had been "such a breakdown of government processes that recent Brexit-related legislative proposals have not been properly scrutinised or approved by Cabinet members".

Mrs Leadsom added: "The tolerance to those in Cabinet who have advocated policies contrary to the Government's position has led to a complete breakdown of collective responsibility."