At a conference last month he said: "I am very happy that free Britain, or at least merry England, is probably now the freest country in the world as regards Covid restrictions. No mask rules, no vaccine passports, and long may it remain so."

However, Frost has also had to accept concessions over Brexit, with the British government dropping its demand to block the European court of justice from being the ultimate arbiter of trade rules in Northern Ireland.

It is reported that Lord Frost handed his resignation in a week ago, but was persuaded by Mr Johnson to stay in his post until January.

However, the life peer was "disappointed" that this plan had "become public" on Saturday evening, and then wrote another letter to the Prime Minister on the same night, stating that he is to "step down with immediate effect".

READ: Lord Frost's resignation letter: pic.twitter.com/LjrxyGUjg3

— Michael Savage (@michaelsavage) December 18, 2021

EXC - big row in a Tory Whatsapp "Clean Global Brexit" group with over 100 MPs

It leads leads to removal of Nadine Dorries after she defending the PM ... and then Steve Baker declaring "enough is enough"

Exchanges here: pic.twitter.com/SsktMPJNSW

— Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) December 18, 2021

Resignation of Brexit minister, revealed on Saturday night, led to fevered online discussion

'Sapere aude'

Lord Frost resigns because the Government won't commit to killing enough people with Covid and won't destroy the planet quickly enough for his liking.

— Marcus (@VotingFloaterUK) December 18, 2021