Sign up and we will email you daily with the best of our political and news coverage while also giving you a taste of our most-popular lifestyle, opinion and personal blogs. Donors include. It is the third time that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has backed down in the face of rebellious backbenchers since taking power in October. The Prime Minister's resigning, the pound's dropping off a cliff and everybody is asking what the hell is going on. Tory MP's ski trip provokes Labour cost of living anger This post about MPs is untrue and around 20 years old The Commons standards watchdog cleared him of breaking the rules in 2019 as it found no evidence that he sent the messages while engaged in parliamentary activities. "I would like to take this opportunity to put on record my sincere thanks to the hundreds of dedicated and hard-working civil servants with whom it has been a pleasure to work.". However, Ms Donelan stressed the proposals would not affect "those who have acted in good faith to comply in a proportionate way". The Prospect union, which represents hundreds of staff working in the Houses of Parliament, said firmer action is needed. At least 55 Labour MPs, Councillors and Mayors have been arrested Then Amber Rudd, a prominent Remainer who had found herself in Mr Johnson's cabinet, quit her role in Work and Pensions and resigned the whip, saying the expulsion of 21 of her former colleagues was "political vandalism". Speaking outside Downing Street, Johnson said. ", The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. "This statement may upset some people and I am sure some people will be delighted with the demise of our PM but I have a job to do and I must do it with a clear conscience. The 48-year-old, who was the first Conservative MP elected in. A long-term opponent of Brexit, and Mr Johnson, the Wantage MP said voting against the government was a "decision I have been wrestling with for some days" but he believed it was "the right thing to do". A loyal Tory and MP for the Surrey constituency of Runnymede and Weybridge for 22 years, he has promised Mr Johnson the "fight of a lifetime" if he is not allowed to stand at the next election. BBC News Rishi Sunak will be the new prime minister after he won the Conservative Party leadership election. QAnon Supporters Sharing Fake News That Obama Was 'Arrested - Newsweek Ms Richards said in a statement that she could not serve "under the current circumstances". The Independent Expert Panel ruled he had committed significant misconduct and abused his position by making repeated unwanted advances towards a male employee. She withdrew her support. John Glen also announced he has quit as Economic Secretary to the Treasury stating "I can no longer reconcile my commitment to the role" with the "complete lack of confidence I have in your continuing leadership". However, the Tory rebels had argued that only personal liability for company bosses would ensure the child safety provisions are effective. After reading out the testimony of the man who accused Tamworth MP Christopher Pincher of assault, Sir Keir said: "I accept that is not easy listening, but it is a reminder to all those propping up this Prime Minister just how serious this situation is. Mr Pincher said he had "embarrassed myself and other people" after having had "far too much" to drink this week. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He very openly said with the benefit of hindsight I made a mistake. A late Victorian financial and property tycoon he amassed a fortune by exploiting the religious devotion and the temperance crusades of that era, said HistoryToday. Former Brexit secretary David Davis, who resigned from the cabinet over May's Brexit deal, told the Observer that he had not seen details of Sunak's agreement yet but made clear he did not expect. Tech bosses could face jail after Tory MPs revolt on bill Labour's shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said the concessions showed the prime minister's "weakness". The protocol was agreed under Mr. or Talking after the vote, he said he had only voted against a Conservative government three times in nearly four decades. Mr Sunak said in his letter of resignation that the "public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously", adding that "our approaches are fundamentally too different". Judge Elizabeth Williscroft said he pressurised Kate Griffiths into engaging in sexual activity, and used "coercive and controlling behaviour". Read more: Tory MP: Leadership contest could begin 'within 24 hours'. 10 during the first lockdown, it has emerged. "He knew the accused minister had previously committed predatory behaviour but he promoted him to a position of power anyway. Thorpe was acquitted, but the trial ended his once-glittering parliamentary career. Only Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, and. His letter reads: "Recent events concerning the handling of the appointment of the former Deputy Chief Whip, and the poor judgement you have shown, have made it impossible for me to square continued service with my conscience. A whips office spokesperson said: "The Chief Whip has asked that the MP concerned does not attend the Parliamentary Estate while an investigation is ongoing. He was bailed without charge, pending further inquiries. They first received a report of the allegations in January 2020 and have conducted a two-year probe into the claims. Tory leadership: How was the new UK prime minister chosen? Former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe, Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images. A small Irish republican group, the Irish National Liberation Army, subsequently claimed responsibility. "I genuinely think this is not the time to divide, this is the time to come together and deliver for the country. They plan to be "agitating hard". LBC In the days that followed, Mr Johnson was bruised by his brother, Jo Johnson, who quit as a minister and an MP, stating that his family loyalties and the national interest were issues he could not resolve. The bill introduces fines of up to 10% of global revenue for companies failing in their legal duties, including to protect children. A male Tory MP in his 50s, who has not been named, was arrested in May on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences between 2002 and 2009. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, A Tory MP has been arrested for sexual assault, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Tower Hamlets councillor suspended over antisemitic post, is welcomed back. Neave, the Conservative shadow Northern Ireland secretary, was blown up one afternoon in March 1979 after his booby-trapped car exploded in the Palace of Westminster as he drove the vehicle from the underground car park. Jo Johnson backed Remain at the 2016 EU referendum and previously quit Mrs May's government last November in protest at her Brexit strategy and in order to call for a second EU referendum. Boris Johnson used a speech last week to call for ministers to show they are still the party of low tax in a bid to win back support ahead of the next election. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. We can and must be better than this.". She paid her own air fare but accepted more than . He then crossed the floor, joining Jo Swinson and the Lib Dems in opposition. She added that criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, would be in line with "similar offences". The MP was also arrested on allegations of abuse of position of trust and misconduct in a public office, according to Scotland Yard. The Sun has reported that he stood down after assaulting two fellow guests at the Carlton Club - a Tory Party private members' club in London's Piccadilly - on Wednesday evening. EU. He was also accused of behaving inappropriately towards journalist Kate Maltby, who claimed he briefly touched her knee in a pub and texted her asking for a drink after seeing a picture of her in a corset in a newspaper. And ex-PM Liz Truss is gathering her. England and Wales company registration number 2008885, Subscribe to TheWeek. The UK prime minister spoke to Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, on Friday, in a new attempt to nail down a deal, with speculation rising that it could be announced very soon. Evidence quickly gathered by police, including books found at Mairs home and an examination of his online activities, showed him to be obsessed with the Nazis, notions of white supremacy and apartheid-era South Africa. She welcomed the proposed changes to the bill but accused the government of "watering down" the legislation, arguing the scope of regulator Ofcom was too narrow. Ex-Conservative MP jailed for 18 months for sexual assault 4pm - 7pm. After the vote, he said Mr Johnson was being hypocritical for removing the whip as he "constantly voted against the previous Conservative prime minister". The Metropolitan Police opened its investigation into whether Vaz had broken any drug laws after it received a complaint from Tory MP Andrew Bridgen. Thank you for meeting with me yesterday evening and for your sincere apology regarding the briefings I received from No 10 ahead of Monday's media round, which we now know to be inaccurate. LONDON U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned on Thursday after more than 50 members of Parliament resigned from his government within 48 hours. Imran Ahmad Khan resigned as a Tory MP after last month being convicted of molesting a teenage boy. "That's fortunes of war and I knew what I was doing but I just believe that they are not playing straight with us," he told the BBC. Why?". The most high-profile of the resignations from outside of the Cabinet, Mr Chalk said that he could not "defend the indefensible". "Loyalty and unity are traits that I have always endeavoured to provide for our great party. A Conservative MP, a former army officer and friend of Margaret Thatcher, was killed by an IRA car bomb outside his home in East Sussex in July 1990. "Porn Tory" Neil Parish resigned in disgrace last month after admitting to watching X-rated videos in the Commons chamber. MPs have blocked an attempt to introduce a minimum sentence for rape, while voting through highly controversial new laws restricting protests. It is just the latest case in a long line of controversies to rock the government so far this year. By Esther Webber. Tory MP's public schools - a bystander's guide. Picture: Getty The legislature at Stormont has been closed since February 2022 as Irish republicans Sinn Fein and the conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) refuse to share power over Northern Ireland. Sir Keir Starmer said Tory MPs sticking by the scandal-hit PM were like 'the charge of the lightweight brigade' as he launched a stinging attack on Boris Johnson as he clings to power. Although he was not a minister at the time, his decision to leave wiped out the Tory majority of one. Garry Graham, its deputy general secretary, said: "What will it take for parliament to finally take its responsibility to its staff and visitors seriously and suspend access to the estate for parliamentarians under investigation for sexual offences? The sentencing judge described him as a sexual predator who used his success and respectability as a cover and told a pack of lies. This is the second time the Romsey and Southampton North MP has been sacked by Mr Johnson in three months, having lost her role as an immigration minister in July. He added: "I am so, so sorry. Rishi Sunak to defy Tory right and push ahead with Northern Ireland The former attorney general revealed before the vote he was going to rebel, and has previously said he would stop a no-deal Brexit even if it means Jeremy Corbyn becomes prime minister. Last month, The Sunday Times reported that 56 MPs face allegations ranging from making sexually inappropriate comments to more serious wrongdoing. Tory leadership PA Media Voting has closed in the final Tory MPs' ballot to select the two leadership candidates to be put to a vote of party members. The junior minister said "the country and party deserves better", and a "clear, self-less vision is needed". Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Two Tory peers (Taylor and Hanningfield) have indeed been found guilty of abusing their . However he admitted "my crime - biggest crime - is that on another occasion I went in a second time". 11 MPs mired in sleaze claims as Boris Johnson presides over - mirror In 1979, he found himself at the centre of the trial of the century when he was accused of conspiring to murder his former gay lover, Norman Scott, in what the BBC described as a bizarre, ill-fated plot. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Mr Bhatti quit his role with a statement that "recent events have undermined trust and standards in public life". Chris Pincher's Tory whip suspended as investigation launched, Parliament is at the centre of fresh allegations, Imran Ahmad Khan was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, Tory Neil Parish has admitted watching porn in the Commons, Andrew Griffiths was found to have raped and physically abused his wife, Charlie Elphicke was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault against two women, Former Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, Damian Green resigned from Government in 2017, Former MP Mike Hill triggered a by-election by quitting, Boris Johnson swaps 'private messages' with Chris Pincher and fails to open investigation, Inside Boris Johnson's luxury jet and boozy BBQ tour as scandal erupted back home. 'Political has-been' Blair torn to shreds as 'economic failure' touted Before the vote he said he knew he could have have the whip removed but had not been directly threatened. Resigned this morning after being sent out on TV to defend the PM days ago, saying Downing Street briefings "have now been found to be inaccurate". An investigation is ongoing, led by officers from Central Specialist Crime.". 3:32 p.m. Speaking to the BBC at the time, the 65-year-old said: The situation was, funnily enough it was tractors I was looking at, so I did get into another website with sort of a very similar name and I watched it for a bit, which I shouldnt have done. The Tory MP for Salisbury said Boris Johnson's "poor judgement" made it "impossible for me to square continued service with my conscience" in his resignation letter. MP Lee Anderson submitted a letter of no confidence this morning to the PM writing: "I do not hold a position I can resign from so the only thing I can do is make my feelings known to my constituents and party members.