Rishi Sunak has been rocked by a double resignation with a cabinet reshuffle expected within hours.

James Heappey has confirmed his resignation as armed forces minister and Robert Halfon has resigned as skills, apprenticeships and higher education minister.

Heappey, the Conservative MP for Wells, Somerset, earlier this month announced his intention to quit as an MP and to stand down as a minister before then.

Meanwhile Halfon, MP for Harlow in a letter to the Prime Minister wrote: "I feel that it is time for me to step down at the forthcoming General Election, and in doing so, to resign as a Minister in your Government."

Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a reshuffle imminently

Heappey wrote on social media: "I’ve loved every minute as MinAF in this incredible department. Our Armed Forces & MOD civil servants are the very best of us. Representing them in Parliament & around the world over last 4.5 years has been an amazing privilege.

"From the first COBR on Covid-19 to the most recent Ukraine Donor Contact Group last week in Ramstein via Kabul, Kyiv, Kosovo, Khartoum and the Southern Red Sea. It’s been an incredibly busy four and a half years.

"But the work isn’t done. Ukraine needs our support now as much as ever. Perhaps even more so. Their’s is a fight for the future of Euro-Atlantic security and so we must continue to lead the world in the breadth & bravery of our support.

"My sincerest thanks to all who serve so brilliantly in our nation’s armed forces & to the families that stand behind them. We’re asking a lot of them at the moment – rightly so, the geo-political situation demands it – and we should never forget their sacrifice."

Minister of State for the Armed Forces James Heappey has resigned

James Heappey’s resignation statement on social media continued: "Thanks also to the fantastic civil servants who work so hard across the Defence enterprise from our world beating scientists to those who do the hard yards procuring the stuff our armed forces need to those who work on policy in the MOD itself.

"And finally thanks to the three PMs who’ve asked me to serve in this amazing role and to Ben Wallace, Grant Shapps, Nick Carter, Tony Radakin, Stephen Lovegrove, David Williams and my awesome Private Office team for putting up with me!"

Meanwhile Veteran MP Halfon, has served in a series of senior roles since first being elected to Parliament in 1999.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, he said: "After well over two decades as the Harlow Parliamentary Candidate and as MP, I feel that it is time for me to step down at the forthcoming general election, and in doing so, to resign as a minister in your Government."

Robert Halfon MP is stepping down