Tory business minister quits government
BUSINESS minister Lord Marland, the Conservative peer, yesterday resigned from government – the second minister to quit the coalition in as many days.
His resignation is a major blow for Prime Minister David Cameron, who on Monday announced a high profile relaunch of coalition policy – the same day Lord Strathclyde resigned from his cabinet role as leader of the Lords.
Marland will step down to focus on his business interests, Downing Street said. It comes just months after he was moved from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to Vince Cable’s Business, Innovation and Skills department.
Marland, a former Tory treasurer, was made a peer in 2006. He helped found FTSE listed insurer Jardine Lloyd Thompson after a distinguished City career in insurance. He also led the acquisition of Hunter Wellington Boots.