More resignations rolling in for the PM after Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid quit
After Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid handed in their resignations last night, a flurry of others followed suit and quit. – Read Rishi and Sajid’s letters here.
It’ll be a tough day for Boris Johnson today – not only is he facing a grilling at PMQs amid even more expected letters, but the PM will also sit in a committee meeting where integrity will be the number one topic and Sajid Javid is expected to deliver a statement following PMQs.
PMQs live – PM faces grilling after shock resignations
Andrew Murrison
— Rt Hon Andrew Murrison MD VR (@AWMurrison) July 5, 2022
Bim Afolami
Vice chairman of the Conservative Party Bim Afolami revealed his intentions during a television interview.
When asked for his thoughts on the scandal surrounding Chris Pincher, Bim Afolami told Talk TV live on air: “You have to resign.”
He said that he “can’t serve under the prime minister” as he had “lost trust in people”, adding: “The prime minister asked at the confidence [vote] to be given time to restore that trust, and I took that as many others did in the party.
‘But I think it becomes clear, especially after losing the support of two of his closest party colleagues, that the time has come for him to stand down.”
Jonathan Gullis
Jonathan Gullis, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the Northern Ireland office has resigned.
Gullis actually spends a lot of his letter praising the work of the government, but adds: “I feel for too long we have been more focused on dealing with our reputational damage rather than delivering for the people of this country and spread opportunity for all, which is why I came into politics.
“It is for this reason I can no longer serve as part of your government.”
Saqib Bhatti
The Conservative party has always been the party of integrity and honour but recent events have undermined trust and standards in public life. It is for this reason that sadly, I must resign.
I will continue working hard for my constituents on the issues that matter to them. pic.twitter.com/oHZzPO285o
— Saqib Bhatti MP (@bhatti_saqib) July 5, 2022
Nicola Richards
Virginia Crosbie
“Sadly, I am forced to say that the sheer number of allegations of impropriety and illegality – many of them centred around Downing Street and your premiership – is quite simply making your position untenable.”
She said the PM risked “irrevocably harming” the party if he stayed on, saying Mr Johnson was “either badly advised or unable to change or reform the dysfunctional operation at the centre of the government you lead”.
Ms Crosbie praises the “considerable achievements” of the government over Brexit, the pandemic and the situation in Ukraine, but concluded that they “continue to be overshadowed by the simple calculation I believe the country has made – that you cannot be trusted to tell the truth”.
She added: “This can never be a position to inhabit for anyone in public life, let alone a prime minister.
“The party I love, and this government, are now facing continued distraction, scandal and allegations of cover up.”
Theo Clarke
I am very sad to be resigning as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Kenya with immediate effect👇 pic.twitter.com/rBKSdbMCQ7
— Theo Clarke (@theodoraclarke) July 5, 2022