Steve Double MP axed by UK Prime Minister Liz Truss

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, has taken to social media to share his thoughts after being told by Truss that he "no longer has a place in her government."

In his statement, Double explained that he had hoped to "continue to contribute" before learning that this would not be the case.

Throughout the leadership contest, Double had backed Truss' leadership opponent, Rishi Sunak, with a series of tweets and endorsements.

In a statement posted on his social media account, Steve Double MP said: "It has been a huge honour to serve as a part of Boris Johnson’s government for the past three years.

"First as PPS to the Health Secretary, as a government whip and for the past 8 weeks as a Minister in DEFRA.

"This has been through some of the most challenging political times in recent history, throughout the pandemic, the removal of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and the invasion of Ukraine.

"Throughout I remained a diligent and loyal member of the government.

"Sadly, I have been informed that the new Prime Minister no longer has a place for me in her government.

Steve Double MP (Image: UK Parliament)

"I accept that she needs to build her own team to take us through the huge challenges of the coming months and years.

"I hoped I could continue to contribute to this as a part of government but sadly it is not to be.

"I wish Liz Truss and her new government nothing but goodwill.

"For the sake of our country, we need her to succeed, and I will be doing all I can to help the government from the backbenches.

"Politics can be brutal at times, but we all know that is the nature of the field we are in.

"However, I have always said that being the Member of Parliament for my home constituency was the greatest honour I could imagine, anything else was always a bonus to be held lightly.

"I will return to the backbenches and continue to speak up for the people of St Austell and Newquay and Cornwall as a whole."

The MP served as part of former PM Boris Johnson's government for three years and his roles included Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Health Secretary, a government whip, and as a minister in the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).