Former bodyguard 'had affair with MP Alan Johnson's wife'

Close protection officer Pc Paul Rice guarded Mr Johnson when he was Home Secretary. He is thought to have worked for Theresa May since she took over at the Home Office last May.

The Metropolitan Police said an officer had been suspended pending an inquiry into an "inappropriate relationship".

Mr Johnson has refused to elaborate on the "personal reasons" for his shock resignation, saying only he was finding it "difficult to cope" with "personal issues in my private life".

He has been married to Laura, his second wife, for almost 20 years. The couple have a 10-year-old son.

Yesterday he was in his Hull West and Hessle constituency but said nothing as he arrived for a routine surgery at Hull Central Library.

Constituents expressed their sympathy and respect for the man who has represented them since 1997 and concern that one of the best advocates for the "common voter" was no longer in the higher echelons of British politics.

Dorothy Carmichael, 75, said: "I thought he would have made a good Prime Minister.

"I don't think he looks down on people; he's for the people, very approachable."

Major Jack Long, 79, who served with the Royal Corps of Signals.