DAVID Cameron was yesterday hit by a shock resignation of a minister over an alleged sex scandal.

On the eve of the Conservative Party conference, Brooks Newmark said he was quitting as Cabinet Office minister with responsibility for civil society.

The 56-year-old, who was born in the US, said: "I have decided to resign as Minister for Civil Society having been notified of a story to be published in a Sunday newspaper. I would like to appeal for the privacy of my family to be respected at this time."

According to the Sunday Mirror, Mr Newmark - the Minister for Civil Society and a founder of the Women2Win campaign group - allegedly exchanged X-rated pictures over the internet with a reporter posing as a Tory PR girl.

The married father of five tendered his resignation after learning that the newspaper was about to publish details of their exchanges.

Newmark was made a Cabinet Office minister in July.

He sparked anger earlier this month when he said: "We want to try to keep charities and voluntary groups out of the realms of politics. The important thing charities should be doing is sticking to their knitting and doing the best they can to promote their agenda."