Theresa Villiers turned down non-Cabinet post at Home Office

At lunch time today, Ms Villiers – who is just days away from being the second longest serving Northern Ireland Secretary – said that she was leaving the Government.

She said that “the new Prime Minister was kind enough to offer me a role but it was not one which I felt I could take on”.

The News Letter understands that Ms Villiers was offered the post of Security Minister at the Home Office.

That is a junior ministerial role (currently held by James Brokenshire) which would have meant Ms Villiers leaving the Cabinet.