Anderson, alongside fellow Deputy Chairman Brendan Clarke-Smith, quit their roles to join more than 50 other Tory MPs backing an amendment to toughen up the immigration legislation.

Writing on social media this evening, Party chairman Richard Holden said: “Great to announce that the inimitable [Jonathan Gullis] is becoming one of our Conservatives Deputy Chairmen”.

He added: “The non-stop campaigning MP for Stoke On Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke is a formidable addition to the team as we build to the General Election later this year”.

The announcement came after Rishi Sunak conducted a mini-reshuffle of his Cabinet, following the resignation of two ministers this evening.

James Heappey confirmed his resignation as armed forces minister, while Robert Halfon quit 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.

Just one day after he called for 2.5 per cent of GDP to be “urgently” spent on defence, Heappey today warned that “the work isn’t done”.

He added: “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.”

The double resignation is yet another blow to Sunak’s authority, who is battling to retain the support of his MPs.

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