Tory MP Stephen Phillips resigns over 'irreconcilable' differences with Government

Conservative MP Stephen Phillips has resigned because of "irreconcilable policy differences with the current Government".

Mr Phillips campaigned for Leave in the EU referendum, but ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand said the MP was "exasperated" that the Government is pushing for a "hard Brexit".

• Paul Brand: Resigning is the kamikaze option for an MP

The Sleaford and North Hykeham MP said in a statement: "It has become clear to me over the last few months that my growing and very significant policy differences with the current Government mean that I am unable properly to represent the people who elected me.

“This decision has been a difficult one and I hope that everyone will respect the fact that I have tried to act in the best interests of all of my constituents.”

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Mr Phillips has repeatedly called for Theresa May to reveal her Brexit plan to Parliament before beginning the formal process of leaving the European Union.

His resignation comes after the High Court ruled that the prime minister must get parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to begin the formal process of leaving the EU, a decision against which the Government is appealing.

Mr Phillips has previously warned against the "tyranny" of denying MPs a vote on the Government's stance in forthcoming Brexit negotiations.

Last month he called for an urgent debate in the House of Commons on the matter, insisting that bypassing Parliament was "simply not an acceptable way for the executive to proceed".

He told Speaker John Bercow in a letter: "I and many others did not exercise our vote in the referendum so as to restore the sovereignty of this Parliament only to see what we regarded as the tyranny of the European Union replaced by that of a Government that apparently wishes to ignore the views of the House on the most important issue facing the nation."

Mr Phillips is the second Conservative MPs to resign in 10 days following the departure of Zac Goldsmith, who quit in protest at the expansion of Heathrow airport.

ITV News Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship suggested he is the first Tory MP to resign over Brexit.

The Sleaford and North Hykeham seat is a safe Conservative seat with a majority of more than 24,000 at last year's general election.

But Paul Brand said the resignation was "very embarrassing" for the Government.