A CONSERVATIVE MP has quit his role in the UK Government, citing the “distress” caused to him by the partygate saga.
Paul Holmes had served as parliamentary private secretary to Home Secretary Priti Patel since last year – but stepped down on Friday after reading the “unacceptable” findings of the Sue Gray report.
It makes the ministerial aide the first to leave their job after the publication of the report into Downing Street parties.
Holmes had previously promised to make a statement after the publication of Gray’s investigation.
In an explanation posted to his social media and website, he said he had been “shocked and angered” by the Downing Street parties held while Covid rules were in place – and these feelings had been worsened since Gray’s report came out.
The Eastleight MP said a “deep mistrust” in the Tories has been created by the lockdown breaches as he tried to represent constituents with integrity.
“It is distressing to me that this work on your behalf has been tarnished by the toxic culture that seemed to have permeated Number 10,” he wrote.
“Over the last few weeks this distress has led me to conclude that I want to continue to focus solely on my efforts in being your Member of Parliament and the campaigns that are important to you. That is why I have now resigned from my governmental responsibilities as a parliamentary private secretary at the Home Office.”
A colleague who answered the phone at Paul Holmes’ constituency office said the MP had nothing further to add when asked if he was calling for Boris Johnson to resign.
Holmes's intervention came as Boris Johnson insisted he will survive fresh Conservative calls for his resignation.
The Prime Minister said on Friday he had been “exhaustive” in responding to the concerns surrounding the raucous lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street.
Four Tory MPs have added their voices to demands for Johnson’s resignation after the publication of the damning Sue Gray inquiry report this week.
Former minister Stephen Hammond said he “cannot and will not defend the indefensible” as he suggested he had submitted a letter formally calling for a no confidence vote.
