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Tory MP Stephen Phillips resigns Tory MP Stephen Phillips resigns
(35 minutes later)
Conservative Stephen Phillips resigns as a Lincolnshire MP over "irreconcilable policy differences" with government Tory Stephen Phillips has quit as a Lincolnshire MP over "irreconcilable policy differences" with the government since the Brexit vote.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. The MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham since 2010, he won the seat with a majority of more than 20,000 last year.
If you want to receive Breaking News alerts via email, or on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App then details on how to do so are available on this help page. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. The MP backed EU exit but said he could not represent constituents due to disagreements with ministers about their approach since June's Leave vote.
It is not clear whether he will stand in a forthcoming by-election.
The politician and barrister is the second Tory MP to stand down in as many weeks - Zac Goldsmith last week forced a by-election over Heathrow expansion.
Mr Phillips has been critical of the government's approach to Brexit since June's Leave vote, accusing Theresa May of trying to "ignore the views" of Parliament and avoiding scrutiny of the government's negotiating position.
His resignation comes a day after the High Court said Parliament must be given a vote before the UK triggers official negotiations with the EU over its exit.
In a statement, he said: "It has become clear to me over the last few months that my growing and very significant policy differences with the current government mean that I am unable properly to represent the people who elected me.
"This decision has been a difficult one and I hope that everyone will respect the fact that I have tried to act in the best interests of all of my constituents."
In last year's election, Mr Phillips won a majority of 24,115, with 56% of the vote. Labour finished second in the eurosceptic constituency, closely followed by UKIP.