Rudd's message was first given on social media and later, in an interview with The Sunday Times, she developed why she no longer wants to be part of the government.

- I knew and accepted that the Prime Minister could not rule out an EU exit without an agreement. I was really hoping that the government would make an effort to come to an agreement, but at the moment too much focus is on a "no deal", Rudd told the newspaper.

"There is no place for dissenting opinions"

She also disapproves of the Prime Minister's treatment of 21 members of the Conservative Party, who were forced to leave the party after voting against Boris Johnson in this week's vote.

- This shows that there is no place in the Conservative Party for people who have differing opinions about the EU. And I can't stand that, Rudd says, describing Johnson's actions as an "attack on decency and democracy".

Other ministers are pressed

The resignation of the minister comes after a turbulent week in British politics where the opposition took over the agenda in Parliament and voted for a law that forces Boris Johnson to ask for an extension of the negotiating period with the EU.

In addition to Rudd, Boris Johnson's own brother, Jo Johnson, has left the government and, according to The Guardian newspaper, the layoffs are putting additional pressure on several other ministers who oppose an EU-wide exit from the EU.