A TORY minister is determined to resign from Boris Johnson’s government, reports suggest.
Defence, People and Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer has scheduled showdown talks with the Prime Minister, according to Sky News.
It comes amid frustration from Tory politicians about a lack of progress on legislation on historic war crimes.
The Government was last week thwarted by the House of Lords in its attempt to pass a bill designed to make Armed Forces veterans and serving personnel exempt from "vexatious" prosecution for historic alleged war crimes.
Peers demanded that war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and torture are all excluded from future legal safeguards for UK forces fighting overseas.
The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill has been championed by Mercer, who is understood not to have formally tendered his resignation yet.
The minister is thought to be unhappy about a lack of progress in dealing with former personnel being investigated for killings during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The legislation was developed in response to legal claims made after operations in Iraq and Afghanistan but it does not cover incidents in Northern Ireland.
READ MORE: SNP MP Carol Monaghan hits out at Johnny Mercer for veteran bill claim
Mercer is said to want to explain his reasoning to Johnson in person, with sources not denying that he intends to resign.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman acknowledged No 10 was aware of "speculation" around former army officer Mercer's future but "speculation is what it is at the moment".
He added: "Johnny Mercer is a valued minister in the Government and we have a good track record on delivering for veterans' issues."
The spokesman said he was not aware of any conversations between Mercer and Johnson today.
Reports suggest that Mercer has become increasingly frustrated about the lack of progress on the Northern Ireland issue but he is not expected to announce his resignation until the Overseas Operations Bill completes its passage through Parliament.
Lords amendments to the Bill will be considered in the Commons on Wednesday.
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