In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted on X, Andrea Leadsom said she had come to the decision after 'careful reflection' but did not go into detail about her reasons for quitting.
The Communities Secretary, 56, who has served under four Conservative Prime Ministers since 2015, confirmed he will not contest his Surrey Heath seat on July 4.
The Tories were handed a huge boost in the opening stages of campaigning after Mr Farage announced he would not be standing as a Reform candidate on 4 July.
Rishi Sunak (pictured) has ruled out a coalition or any deals with Reform UK if there is a hung parliament following the General Election. This comes after Nigel Farage said he would not stand.
After stunning Westminster with the announcement he is sending the country to the polls on 4 July, the Tory leader embarked on a blitz of campaigning.
Rishi Sunak received a massive boost this morning as Nigel Farage declared he will not be standing on July 4.
Members of the public have revealed that heading to the polls on July 4 is the last thing on their minds at the moment as many punters are gearing up for the warm weather instead.
Leader Richard Tice vowed to make the looming battle 'the immigration election' as he played down the impact of the Brexit champion's decision.
Rishi Sunak received a massive boost this morning as Nigel Farage declared he will not be standing on July 4.
The Prime Minister has let it be known he is willing to face-off against Sir Keir every week during the six-week battle ahead of polling day on 4 July.
Leader Richard Tice vowed to make the looming battle 'the immigration election' as he played down the impact of the Brexit champion's decision.
Nigel Farage insisted he wants to focus on backing Donald Trump's campaign in the US, as he announced he will not be a candidate for the Commons.
Nigel Farage insisted he wants to focus on backing Donald Trump's campaign in the US, as he announced he will not be a candidate for the Commons.
Reform leader Richard Tice has called a press conference at 11am after Rishi Sunak fired the starting gun on a July 4 contest.
As Soho strip-joint gents used to say, 'and they're off!' Amid a teatime downpour Rishi Sunak came splashing out of No 10 to announce he was going to the country.
What would it take to persuade you to vote Tory in July? Is there anything Sunak could promise which would convince you to give the Conservatives one more chance?
Nigel Farage said the PM had chosen political 'suicide' by gambling on a July 4 date, branding the Tories 'Big State liberals'.
A rain-sodden Rishi Sunak announced the date of the vote as July 4 in a surprise address from Downing Street this afternoon.
Brits have revealed the key issues they are voting over on July 4, after prime minister Rishi Sunak called a surprise election this afternoon, following months of speculation.
In recent elections the Party for Freedom, led by anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders, became the largest party in the coalition government. It is determined to cut the migrant population.
