A Bristol Tory MP has called out members of Boris Johnson's Cabinet who are yet to resign, saying they are "doing real damage to their own reputations" by not doing so. Chris Skidmore, the Conservative MP for Kingswood, tweeted the message this morning (July 7) while sharing the resignation letter of Brandon Lewis, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who announced he was stepping down today.
In his post, Mr Lewis said: "A decent and responsible Government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect - it is a matter of profound personal regret that I must leave Government as I no longer believe those values are being upheld. I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister."
To which Mr Skidmore agreed, tweeting: "Brandon is right. And those members of the cabinet who continue to stay in post are now doing real damage to their own reputations by staying on."
Read more: LIVE: Boris Johnson resignation pressure grows after Suella Braverman challenge
It is the second tweet the Bristol MP has posted around the current situation in Number 10, in the past 24 hours - the first being his letter to Sir Graham Brady MP urging another vote of no confidence and for the 1922 Committee to "reconsider the rules" of a new vote taking place. It was a rare move for the politician, who has previously seemed reluctant to speak out against the PM.
In his letter, Mr Skidmore 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 tantamount 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 too 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 must now urgently reconsider the rules that prevent a new vote of no confidence from taking place.
"The Prime Minister has made it clear that he will not change. It is therefore time that we change the Prime Minister."
At time of writing, the number of government resignations had surpassed 50 (plus one sacking) since Tuesday night's shock resignations of health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor Rishi Sunak, which were the first of many to follow.
The Cabinet ministers resigned following the release of a televised interview with Johnson at 6pm on Tuesday evening in which he attempted to defuse the pressure around his handling of ex-deputy chief whip Chris Pincher's resignation last week. Then, last night the cabinet member for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, was sacked by the Prime Minister.
This morning (Thursday) as well as Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, Treasury minister Helen Whately resigned, telling Boris Johnson there “are only so many times you can apologise and move on”. Resignations are coming in quickly and you can follow the latest updates here.
Attorney General Suella Braverman says she will continue in her role despite calling for the Prime Minister to quit. The Cabinet minister, who has previously been a staunch supporter of Boris Johnson, told Peston on ITV that he had handled matters “appallingly” and she will put her name into the ring if there is a leadership contest.
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