LEADERSHIP rival Jeremy Hunt and Education Secretary Damian Hinds were among the highest profile casualties as Britain’s new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, assembled his cabinet on Wednesday.

News broke that Mr Hunt had resigned as Foreign Secretary at 6pm on Wednesday - and shortly afterwards the MP for South West Surrey confirmed on Twitter that he had turned down the opportunity to become defence secretary.

He said: "I would have been honoured to carry on my work at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office but understand the need for a new PM to choose his team.

"Boris kindly offered me another role but after nine years in cabinet and over 300 cabinet meetings, now is the time to return to the backbenches from where the PM will have my full support."

The Herald understands Mr Hunt was first offered the defence brief in a conversation with Mr Johnson in the moments before the ex-mayor of London was confirmed Tory leader - and again in a meeting at 10 Downing Street earlier on Wednesday.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds also brought his 18 month stint as Education Secretary to an end on Wednesday, following neighbouring MP Mr Hunt, and Guildford MP and skills minister Anne Milton in resigning from the government.

Mr Hinds announced on Twitter: “It has been the greatest privilege to serve as education secretary.

“Thank you to the brilliant team at the Department for Education. And thank you to everyone working in education and children’s care, for all you do. I look forward to supporting the government from the backbenches.”

*See this week’s Herald, on sale Thursday, for an exclusive interview with South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt, looking back at his campaign and forward at being a "good dad" again...