Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore has called for Boris Johnson to go as Prime Minister, by urging a change in the Conservative Party rules so he can be kicked out.
The Tory MP, who had previously remained tight-lipped about the questions over Boris Johnson's leadership, described what was 'tantamount to an effective cover up of sexual abuse' in the scandal of the Christopher Pincher affair, which appears to be the final straw for many Conservative MPs.
Mr Skidmore, who served in a number of ministerial jobs in recent years but is currently a backbench Tory MP, wrote a letter to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs, calling for a rule change that would allow for another vote of confidence in the Prime Minister.
Updates: Boris Johnson faces PMQs on Wednesday as resignations continue
In the letter, Mr Skidmore hints that if the Tory MPs who voted in the previous confidence vote had known about the Pincher affair then, it would be 'highly unlikely' that the Prime Minister would have won the vote.
The affair saw questions asked about Boris Johnson's conduct in appointing Christopher Pincher as deputy chief whip of the Tories in Parliament, after Mr Pincher resigned last week, admitting he had groped two men at a London gentlemen's club.
Boris Johnson, Number 10 and a series of ministers, publicly said the Prime Minister didn't know about allegations about Mr Pincher's previous indiscretions, including one complaint when he worked at the Foreign Office which was upheld. The Prime Minister's position went from saying he had no clue to admitting he had been told on multiple occasions and, in a television interview last night, did not deny saying that he remarked at the time 'Pincher by name, pincher by nature'.
The fall-out from the scandal yesterday saw Chancellor Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid resign their cabinet posts, with the Prime Minister rallying his dwindling supporters, and pledging to carry on.
This morning, more resignations have followed, and now - after remaining silent on the issue throughout the past few weeks and months, Mr Skidmore has finally emerged against the Prime Minister.
His letter is to Sir Graham Brady calling for a change in the rules of the way in which Conservative MPs are allowed to challenge their leader. The present rules mean that if a leader of the party survives a no-confidence vote, another such vote can't be held for a year.
Theresa May survived a no confidence vote in 2019, but the threat of changing those rules meant she ulimately resigned a few months later.
Chris Skidmore urges Sir Graham, the chairman of the 1922 Committee which manages those rules, to do something to make it possible to oust the Prime Minister. In a damning letter, he said: "I no longer have confidence in the Prime Minister to lead the Conservative Party.
"Recent events have revealed that the Prime Minister repeatedly was informed and knew about allegations of sexual misconduct and previously upheld complaints against a member of the government. He subsequently took the decision to promote this person into a position responsible for the welfare of Conservative Members of Parliament.
"In responding to these events, the Prime Minister has not been truthful to the media, to his own advisers and Number 10 officials, and to the party in disclosing what he knew. This is an extremely grave situation, that is tantamout to an effective cover-up of sexual abuse that would never be tolerated in any normal, functioning, workplace.
"The facts of this matter have only come to light after the previous vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister. Then Members of Parliament voted to retain the Prime Minister without knowing what we know now. Had we known, it would be highly unlikely that the party would have confidence in someone who has acted in this manner.
"It is vital therefore that the 1922 muyst now urgently reconsider the rules that prevent a new vote of no confidence from taking place. The Prime Minister made it clear that he will not change. It is therefore time that we change the Prime Minister," he added.
Other Conservative MPs in the Bristol area are yet - as of 11am on Wednesday, July 6 - to declare where they stand on the future of the Prime Minister. Weston MP John Penrose resigned his Government position on the morning of that vote of no confidence, while Jacob Rees Mogg (North East Somerset) declared his loyalty to Mr Johnson last night, but Liam Fox (North Somerset), Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke), who is vice chairman of the Conservative Party, and Luke Hall (Thornbury and Yate) who is deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, are yet to publicly reveal their views.
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