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| Tory minister Brooks Newmark resigns from government | Tory minister Brooks Newmark resigns from government |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Conservative MP for Braintree Brooks Newmark has resigned as minister for civil society over allegations to be published in a Sunday newspaper. | Conservative MP for Braintree Brooks Newmark has resigned as minister for civil society over allegations to be published in a Sunday newspaper. |
| He said in a statement he remained "a loyal supporter of this government as its long-term economic plan continues to deliver for the British people". | He said in a statement he remained "a loyal supporter of this government as its long-term economic plan continues to deliver for the British people". |
| His resignation comes on the eve of the Conservative party conference. | His resignation comes on the eve of the Conservative party conference. |
| It was announced hours after fellow Tory MP Mark Reckless said he was quitting the party to join UKIP. | It was announced hours after fellow Tory MP Mark Reckless said he was quitting the party to join UKIP. |
| A Downing Street spokesman said Prime Minister David Cameron had accepted Mr Newmark's resignation as a minister. | |
| UKIP defection | |
| Mr Newmark, 56, said: "I have decided to resign as minister for civil society having been notified of a story to be published in a Sunday newspaper. | |
| "I would like to appeal for the privacy of my family to be respected at this time." | |
| Mr Newmark, who has been the MP for Braintree since 2005, became minister for civil society in July. | |
| Mark Reckless earlier told the UKIP conference he had resigned as an MP, triggering a by-election in Rochester and Strood. | |
| He will seek re-election in his constituency for UKIP. |