Tory deputy chief whip to step back from role

Stuart Anderson made the announcement on social media on Tuesday

The Conservative MP for South Shropshire has announced that he will step back from his role as Opposition Deputy Chief Whip, due to family illness.

Stuart Anderson said he would return to the back benches once the party's new leader was chosen.

He was appointed to the role in an interim capacity in July by Conservative leader Rishi Sunak, whose successor should be known in November.

Mr Anderson said the move would allow him to work "relentlessly" in his constituency, and support a close family member who was battling a serious illness.

"Whoever the new leader is will have my full backing, and I hope in the years to come to return to front bench duty when the time is right," he said on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.

"In 2022, at a time of crisis, I stepped into the role of Assistant Government Whip, where I have undertaken almost every role in the Whips' Office, rising to Deputy Chief Whip.

"I look forward to making my voice heard powerfully in the backbenches to deliver for South Shropshire."