A female Brexit supporting minister who serves as a Royal Naval reservist has replaced Priti Patel as International Development Secretary after she resigned from the Cabinet.

Penny Mordaunt, who was minister for disabled people, has been appointed by Theresa May as she attempts to retain the balance between Leavers and Remainers in her Cabinet.

As only female MP who is a Royal Navy reservist, she was also touted as a possible replacement for Sir Michael Fallon after he resigned as defence secretary last week.

It came as Victoria Atkins became the first MP from the 2015 intake to secure a ministerial position. She has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office.

Sarah Newton has replaced Ms Mordaunt as Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions.

The appointments come after Eurosceptic MPs warned that Ms Patel’s successor could not be a minister who voted Remain during the EU referendum.