DOMINIC Grieve said he will be able to speak more openly on issues affecting the country after being replaced as Attorney General.

Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed this morning the Beaconsfield MP had been axed from his role as the country's top lawyer in a reshuffle of his cabinet.

Mr Grieve, who had held the post for four years, said relinquishing the role would enable him to speak more freely on key issues.

He said sorting out Britain's involvement in the EU, immigration control and people's perceptions of crime and disorder were the issues of "the utmost importance" for the "wellbeing of the country".

Speaking to Shelagh Fogarty on BBC Radio Five Live this afternoon, Mr Grieve said: "I'm going to be able to talk about some of the things I have been talking about in private but not been able to make a great deal about more publicly.

"These are the big issues we are going to have to tackle, not just through to the election, but beyond.

"I'm a Conservative to my fingertips and I want to make sure it takes place."

The new Attorney General is 41-year-old Jeremy Wright, MP for Kenilworth and Southam and previously a Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Justice.