Armed forces minister James Heappey has announced he will leave his government post and stand down at the next election.

The reasons for his decision are personal and not linked to a row over defence spending, a source close to him told Sky News.

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The MP for the Wells constituency in Somerset will continue with his ministerial position until Rishi Sunak wishes him to step back – likely during the Easter recess, they added.

In a letter to his local association, posted by Mr Heappey on X, he said he had concluded that it was time to “prioritise my family and pursue a different career”.

“After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming General Election,” he said.

“A great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family, and pursue a different career.”

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He added that he will continue to support Mr Sunak in his ministerial position “until such time as he wishes me to step down, and then from the backbenches”.

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The announcement comes amid growing disquiet among Conservative MPs and military insiders at a failure by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to announce new funding for the armed forces in his spring budget.

However a source close to Mr Heappey said while “of course he thinks there should be more money – it’s not why he’s resigning”.

Mr Heappey was reselected to fight the seat last year by his local association.

He is the latest senior Tory MP to announce his plans to stand down at the election.

On Thursday former party chairman Brandon Lewis said he would stand down, while last week former prime minister Theresa Many announced her intention to quit parliament last week.

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