The Northern Ireland Office has cancelled a scheduled press Q&A with Secretary of State Brandon Lewis in Belfast just minutes before it was due to take place.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership is in turmoil following the resignation of several ministers and aides.
Media outlets had been invited to attend on Wednesday morning a visit by Mr Lewis to a school where he was to announce UK government funding for integrated education.
Read more: Timeline of crises engulfing Boris Johnson’s leadership
Invitations were sent out two days ago with journalists told they would have an opportunity to each put questions to the Northern Ireland secretary.
But minutes before the event was due to take place, the Northern Ireland Office contacted reporters to say the pre-planned press opportunity had been cancelled.
The visit by Mr Lewis is still expected to go ahead behind closed doors without permitted media access.
But the Secretary of State will likely still have to face questions as broadcast media have assembled outside the venue.
Mr Lewis has remained loyal to the Prime Minister, whose leadership is on the brink of collapse following a string of departures from the government since Tuesday evening.
Rishi Sunak quit as chancellor and Sajid Javid resigned as health secretary, with both delivering broadsides at Mr Johnson as they quit their cabinet posts.
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