Defra secretary Jayawardena resigns before cabinet reshuffle

Ranil Jayawardena has resigned from his role as Defra secretary following Rishi Sunak’s appointment as UK prime minister.

Mr Jayawardena was named in Liz Truss’ cabinet on Tuesday 6 September, but has now stepped down following her resignation after just 45 days in office.

Mr Sunak has wasted no time with his cabinet reshuffle after entering No 10 on Tuesday 25 October.

See also: Ranil Jayawardena announced as new Defra secretary

In a letter to the new prime minister, Mr Jayawardena said: “My congratulations on your appointment. I know that you wish for a new team to join you in HM Government, so I write to stand aside.”

Despite less than two months in the role, Mr Jayawardena said he was “pleased to have laid the groundwork to ‘free our farmers’ and to continue protecting our environment”.

He added: “On my first day I office, I met water company bosses to give them their report card. They caused 62 serious pollution incidents in 2021, so I asked them to bring forward a plan to accelerate investment in infrastructure. They did – and I trust my successor will make sure they deliver.”

Despite being relatively unknown in agriculture, Mr Jayawardena had replaced George Eustice, Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth, who had been Defra secretary since February 2020, having previously been farm minister for almost five years.

Mr Jayawardena said his Defra successor would take forward plans to improve the government’s Environment Land Management schemes, making them easier to access and removing “current areas of frustration”.

His letter finished: “From food security and backing British farmers, to water security and growing our rural economy, I am sure that HM Government will continue to deliver, and you will have my support in doing so.”