Midlands Conservative MPs join string of resignations as pressure on Boris Johnson grows

A series of Midlands Conservative MPs have joined the growing number of resignations, as Boris Johnson faces pressure to go.

Jonathan Gullis, the MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, has resigned from his role as a Principal Private Secretary (PPS).

"For too long we have been more focused on dealing with reputational damage rather than delivering for the people of this country," he wrote.

The 32-year-old has been described as an ally of Mr Johnson, and his resignation will strike a particular blow to the Prime Minister.

His comments followed a roll call of high profile resignations this evening, including Health Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The vice chair of the Conservative party has also resigned, amid a row over the handling of misconduct claims against ex-Deputy Chief Whip and Tamworth MP Chris Pincher.

MP for Meriden Saqib Bhatti has also resigned from his government roll as a PPS to Mr Johnson.

The Coventry member wrote on Twitter: "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."

In another PPS resignation, the MP for West Bromwich Nicola Richards announced hers via a letter.

She described the focus of the government as "skewed", writing that this was something she didn't "wish to be associated with."

Solihull MP Julian Knight was among Midlands MPs calling for a change in direction from the government.

In a Twitter statement, Julian Knight wrote: "When you have individual's of the calibre of my friend @sajidjavid & @RishiSunak saying enough is enough, then I'm afraid the die is cast. It is time for the Party to take a new direction."

Andrew Bridgen, MP for North Leicestershire, and a long-standing critic of the PM, said in an interview": "There's not a better time to rid get of Boris Johnson and have a new Prime Minister.

"We have summer recess in less than two weeks time and that's when we should be having our leadership election."

In Stoke-on-Trent, Jo Gideon MP revealed she was one of the MPs who sent a letter of no-confidence in the PM to the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee in April.

"I think it should now be clear to everyone that the Prime Minister should go," she wrote.

Lee Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, Nottinghamshire has withdrawn his support for government.

In a statement published on 6th July, Anderson writes: "Integrity should always come first and sadly this has not been the case over the past few days."

Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards resigned as PPS to Scotland Office, saying: "I'm deeply saddened...this is no longer compatible with continuing to serve in a government whose leadership has turned a blind eye to allegations of sexual assault within its own ranks."

Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Aaron Bell resubmits letter of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson.He says he "gave the PM time" to change, but "things have only gotten worse, with No 10 continuing to try to lie their way out of difficult situations."

Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher has also resigned as PPS to BEIS Dept.In letter to PM, he says: "I have reached the conclusion that any person who suggests that anyone other than Mr Pincher is solely responsible for what happened that night is unfit to lead our country."

Redditch MP Rachel Maclean has resigned as Minister for Safeguarding.

In a statement, she says: "I have defended you to the hilt...but you must now resign for the good of the country and our party."

North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey says he no longer supports Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He says: "All the good that can be done, and is being done, by those in Government is currently lost in the noise surrounding the Prime Minister."

In a joint letter announcing 5 mass resignations, North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley resigns as Minister of Industry, and Harborough MP and Levelling Up Minister Neil O'Brien steps down from Boris Johnson's administration.

ITV News Political Editor Robert Person said that "although the Prime Minister has been under pressure from his backbench MPs...no member of his cabinet publicly criticised him."

"Today it is an absolute bombshell."Both Sunak and Javid said they "cannot, in all good conscience" continue to serve under the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in letters posted to Twitter.

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