Baroness Neville-Jones resigns as security minister

Neville-Jones will continue to advise the government on business cyber security

Former intelligence chief Baroness Neville-Jones is to advise the government on business cyber security after resigning as security minister at the Home Office.

The decision to quit was said to be at her own request, but sources said she stepped down to avoid being pushed after making it clear she was uncomfortable with home secretary Theresa May's plans for elected police chiefs as part of wide-ranging police reforms.

It is understood that May will take on the security role herself.

Outspoken Neville-Jones, 70, is a former chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee. She said she had told Prime Minister David Cameron she intended to step down after the local government elections.

Former junior agriculture minister Lady Browning has been appointed to represent the Home Office in the Lords, but it was not clear to what extent she would take on her predecessor's security duties.