Sussan Ley’s leadership of the Liberal Party has been rocked by Andrew Hastie leaving the Opposition’s frontbench.

Hastie announced yesterday he was moving to the backbench after saying he was being cut out of immigration talks.

“The leader has made it clear that the Shadow Home Affairs Minister won’t lead the Coalition’s response to immigration matters or develop the Coalition’s immigration strategy,” he said in a statement.

“On this basis, I made the decision that I was not able to continue in this role and remain silent on immigration.

“Out of respect for Sussan’s leadership, I am resigning from the front bench … Sussan deserves to lead unencumbered by interventions from shadow cabinet colleagues.”

On May 28, Andrew Hastie was appointed Shadow Minister for Home Affairs.

“The loss of Andrew Hastie from the front bench, of course, is a huge blow,” Liberal Senator Jane Hume told Today this morning.

“Andrew is a man of enormous talent and great integrity, but to be honest, we’re such a small and depleted team after the last election.”

“Everybody has to step up and pull their weight,” she added.

Hume was asked if Hastie’s departure undermines Ley’s leadership.

“He said that he does not think that he cannot deliver on those expectations, so in order not to destabilise, he has withdrawn himself from the front bench,” she replied.

When asked if she is happy with the job that Ley is doing as opposition leader, she stated that Ley ”has got the most difficult job in politics” and she has “the support of the party room.”

National Party leader David Littleproud said as Coalition partners, he wants the Liberals to be strong.

“It’s disappointing. Andrew’s made a decision to leave the frontbench. He has a lot to offer, but obviously,” Littleproud told Today.

“There’s a disagreement between himself and Sussan.”

When asked if he had confidence in Sussan Ley’s leadership, he did not give a direct answer.

“My job is to respect the leadership of who the Liberal Party puts up,” he said.

“I’m not part of that party room.”