Tories John Randall And Chloe Smith Quit Govt

Deputy Chief Whip John Randall and Cabinet Office Minister Chloe Smith have resigned from the Government, Number 10 has confirmed.

The pair quit ahead of a ministerial reshuffle by Prime Minister David Cameron which is expected today.

The departures increase the scope for Mr Cameron to bring in new faces to his top team - which is tipped to feature more female faces.

Mr Randall, the 58-year-old Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, said he had indicated at the end of last year he wished to step aside.

He had found himself at the centre of the "Plebgate" row last year, threatening to resign if Andrew Mitchell refused to quit over the affair.

In his resignation letter to the PM, he said it had been "a great privilege and honour" to serve for 13 years in the Whips' Office in opposition and Government.

"I have nothing but the deepest admiration for you as a person, leader and Prime Minister. I will never forget the kind note that you wrote to me when my mother died last year," he said.

"You can be assured that I will do whatever I can for you personally as well as for the party, the Government and of course the country."

The Prime Minister said he "could not have wished for a more loyal, discreet, patient, trustworthy and committed colleague" and that he "had rather hoped this day would never come".

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to make changes to his top team

"You have been a rock, not just in the Whips Office since 2000 where you have served with great distinction as Assistant and then Deputy Chief Whip, but for the whole Parliamentary Party," he added.

"Your wit and humour are well known across the Party, but so too is your compassion; your dedication to the Party and to Parliament; and your steadfast reliability in good times and bad."

In her letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Smith said: "I have been privileged to serve my country and my party under your leadership.

"However, for the remainder of the Parliament I want to be able to spend more time serving my constituents.

The Norwich North MP infamously endured a toe-curling interview with Jeremy Paxman on BBC Newsnight last year, in which she struggled to explain aspects of the Government's decision to defer a fuel duty rise.

She added: "My constituents have always come first for me, and they know the high standards and hard work that I ask of myself as the Member of Parliament for Norwich North.

"As you know, I was only 27 when I was lucky enough to be elected as an MP, and of my four years in Parliament so far, I have spent three as a minister.

"I would welcome the opportunity to develop other ways of giving public service, both inside and outside Parliament, while continuing to work hard for my constituents."

Last Friday, Simon Burns quit as Transport Minister to launch a bid to be a Commons Deputy Speaker.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband are also expeced to reshuffle their respective ministerial teams today.

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