North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara is to return to the back benches following Theresa May’s appointment as prime minister.

Mrs May took over as leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister from David Cameron last week and moved quickly to appoint her new cabinet and ministerial team.

Mr Vara had served jointly as a parliamentary under secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions under David Cameron but will not continue in the roles under Mrs May.

Mr Vara said: “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to have served as a minister in government. First in the whips’ office, and then at the Ministry of Justice and for the past year jointly at the Department for Work and Pensions.

“Our country has huge challenges ahead and I am confident that in Theresa May we have the right person to lead us. I look forward to continuing to support her as we work towards a One Nation agenda.”