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Tory MP Simon Clarke has quit as Boris Johnson’s local government minister. 

The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP resigned from his post on Tuesday for “personal reasons”, he said in a letter to the prime minister. 

Clarke, who is an ardent Brexiteer, said he “had to balance my own life against the demands of office”. 

It comes amid reports that the prime minister was attempting to rewrite some of the deal agreed last year with Brussels. 

But Clarke added: “Whatever the future holds, you can be assured of my deepest loyalty, affection and friendship from the backbenches.”

Luke Hall has been promoted to replace Clarke and Kelly Tolhurst was named housing minister.