Watford MP Richard Harrington has resigned from the government tonight.

This evening, business minister Mr Harrington confirmed himself that he will be resigning from his role with immediate effect after writing to Prime Minister Theresa May.

Mr Harrington said he has a duty and priority to his constiuency of Watford.

But he says in this "critical moment in British history", he "regrets the government's approach to Brexit as playing roulette with the live and livelihoods of the vast majority of people in this country who are employed or otherwise depend on businesses for their livelihood".

He says a "failure to secure a deal and rule out a hard Brexit" is resulting in businesses being placed abroad.

He added a no deal Brexit would have "widespread and long-standing implications" for everyone.

He says he has to resign from his role to prevent a no deal from happening.

He added he will be "proud and vocal" in his support of Mrs May on all matters aside from Brexit.

This evening I wrote to the PM to offer her my resignation pic.twitter.com/Z0QU5lbeJ1 — Richard Harrington (@Richard4Watford) March 25, 2019

This evening, MPs have voted on an amendment tabled by Conservative MP Sir Oliver Letwin.

MPs have voted in favour of the amendment by 329 to 302 votes, including Mr Harrington, which could see control of the Brexit agenda taken away from Theresa May - potentially paving the way for a "softer" deal that keeps the UK closer to Brussels.

The amendment enable MPs to stage a series of "indicative votes" on alternatives to the Prime Minister's deal.

Mr Harrington was among 30 Tory MP's to vote in favour of the amendment.

Mr Harrington has repeatedly said in the last couple of months that he would resign over a no-deal Brexit.

Watford voted to leave the European Union, with just over 200 votes in it.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Ian Stotesbury has reacted to Mr Harrington's resignation.

He said: "It's good Mr Harrington has taken a stand against this government's disastrous handling of the Brexit process.

"However he needs to go a step further and back a People's Vote as the only real way out of this mess. Watford's Lib Dems will continue to back that vote."

While Labour parliamentary candidate for Watford Chris Ostrowski has said his party is "ready for a general election".