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John Randall and Chloe Smith quit government posts | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two Conservative members of the government have quit amid speculation of an imminent ministerial reshuffle. | |
Deputy Chief Whip John Randall and Cabinet Office Minister Chloe Smith stepped down late on Sunday. | |
Mr Randall has been Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 1997, while Chloe Smith has represented Norwich North since 2010. | |
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said a government reshuffle could take place as soon as Monday. | |
He said it was likely to focus on "mid-ranking ministers below Cabinet level". | |
'Public service' | |
As deputy chief whip, Mr Randall was partly responsible for ensuring party discipline among fellow Tory MPs. | |
Ms Smith, 31, served in the Treasury before being moved to the Cabinet Office last September. | |
Stepping down, she wrote to the prime minister pointing out she had been "only 27" when she became an MP and said she now wanted to "develop other ways of giving public service". | |
Mr Randall had worked in the whips' office, either in government or opposition, for 13 years. | |
In his resignation letter he paid tribute to David Cameron said it had been "a great privilege and honour" to serve the party. | |
The departures come after Transport Minister Simon Burns quit his post last week to launch a bid to become a deputy commons speaker. | |
Our political editor said he had been told there would be no more resignations on Sunday. | |
"The prime minister is known to be keen to promote women and those representing northern constituencies ahead of the general election and a wider Cabinet reshuffle which may take place next spring," he added. |