Sajid Javid has resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK.

It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffles his government.

Mr Javid was due to deliver a budget in less than four weeks.

It is understood Mr  Johnson demanded that the chancellor sack all of his special advisers.

He refused and as a result left the position.

Meanwhile just weeks after helping to restore power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, Julian Smith has lost his job as Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Despite the praise he received for his role in returning devolved government at Stormont, he had previously been earmarked as disloyal to Mr Johnson over Brexit.

He broke ranks with the prime minister last year by warning a no-deal Brexit would be "very, very bad for Northern Ireland".

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has thanked Mr Smith, saying: "Without your leadership, I don't believe Northern Ireland would have a Government today."

Other casualties of Mr Johnson's reshuffle include Geoffrey Cox as UK attorney general, Theresa Villiers as environment secretary and Esther McVey as housing minister.

Mr Javid was also British home secretary from 2018 to 2019.