Phillip Lee, an ex-justice minister, and a prominent supporter of a second EU referendum, quit the Tories in dramatic fashion when he timed his resignation letter to be delivered at the moment Mr Johnson stood up at the dispatch box in the Commons. They plan to be "agitating hard". 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. But the case collapsed and Aitken admitted lying during the libel case. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. It is the third time that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has backed down in the face of rebellious backbenchers since taking power in October. Politics Hub: PM wants to 'fix' not 'nix' NI protocol. It is hard I won't pretend it isn't.". 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. Ms Donelan said the government would also take steps to tackle the advertising of small boat Channel crossings on social media, in response to calls led by Tory MP Natalie Elphicke, who represents Dover. Westminster has been rocked by yet more sleaze claims after Tory MP Chris Pincher resigned as Deputy Chief Whip over his conduct in a private members' club. A former U.K. Conservative MP has been jailed for 18 months for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. The 48-year-old, who was the first Conservative MP elected in. The MP was also arrested on allegations of abuse of position of trust and misconduct in a public office, according to Scotland Yard. ", Asked how anyone can 'trust a word' that comes out of Downing Street, Mr Zahawi said: "I trust the word of a PM who is big enough to come out and apologise.". The prime minister was not herself injured in the attack on the seafront, which took place in the small hours. A small Irish republican group, the Irish National Liberation Army, subsequently claimed responsibility. 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. The Tamworth MP is now facing calls to lose the whip entirely after the Sun reported that he had allegedly groped two men. 10 during the first lockdown, it has emerged. "We've seen this is other areas, such as the financial services industry and the construction industry," she added. New Brexit deal on Northern Ireland thought to be close as Tory MPs told they 'must be in Westminster on Monday', Sacked ex-Tory chair Nadhim Zahawi apologises for tax bill scandal but says actions were 'careless, not deliberate', Imran Ahmad Khan: Former Tory MP who groped boy, 15, released from prison after serving half his sentence, "Until the conclusion of the investigation we will not be commenting further.". 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. However, Ms Donelan stressed the proposals would not affect "those who have acted in good faith to comply in a proportionate way". His resignation led to a by-election in his Devon seat which the Liberal Democrats won last week with a swing of almost 30 per cent. Tory MP Robert Halfon also submitted a letter of no confidence in the PM. Imran Ahmad Khan resigned as a member of parliament last month after being convicted of molesting the teenager at a party in 2008. The Metropolitan Police said it received a report relating to the alleged sexual offences in January 2020. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4104. The Met said the alleged sexual offences werecommitted between 2002 and 2009 in London. Read more: Read Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid's resignation letters in full. The senior Tory resigned as Minister for Civil Society in 2014 after the Sunday Mirror revealed he had been exchanging X-rated photos with an undercover reporter posing as a Tory PR girl. He fled to Argentina, but was extradited before being tried and imprisoned for 14 years. He has been very vocal with his opposition to a no-deal and revealed his position as part of Philip Hammond's rebel group by saying he was also facing having the whip withdrawn. Ex-Labour MP David Chaytor was jailed for 18 months for fraudulently claiming more than 18,000, Labours Jim Devine was jailed for 16 months for claiming more than 8,000 and former Labour environment minister Elliot Morley was jailed for claiming 31,000. Victoria Atkins has resigned as justice minister. The MP had been urged to stay away from parliament but was allowed to take part in a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson last month. Last week, the former prime minister Boris Johnson sparked a furious outcry when he backed a bill which would unilaterally scrap part of the current Brexit deal. 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. A caretaker was also killed in the attack. Ms Donelan said the measures, based on a recently-passed law in Ireland, would introduce criminal liability for bosses failing to comply with enforcement notices issued by Ofcom. A Met Police spokesperson said the force is aware of widespread reporting relating to alleged breaches of the Health Protection Regulations at Downing Street, adding that it is currently in contact with the Cabinet Office. Former chancellors, Winston Churchill's grandson and the current longest-serving MP were among those sacked from the Conservative Party on 4 September for rebelling against the government in a bid to avoid a no-deal Brexit. During the vicious attack, the murderer said: This is for Britain, keep Britain independent and Britain first. He had already said he would not contest another election. In 2019, Labour MP Fiona Onasanya was sentenced to three months in prison after it was found she had lied to police in relation to a speeding ticket. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? May 23, 2022 5:12 pm CET. In 2016, Labour MP Keith Vaz came under police investigation over charges he offered to buy cocaine for two male escorts, reported The Guardian. "Isn't this the first recorded case of the sinking ships fleeing the rats.". Allies suggested the former farmer may have been looking for a brand of combine harvester, known as a Dominator. Mr Pincher said he had "embarrassed myself and other people" after having had "far too much" to drink this week. He had been accused repeatedly putting his hand on journalist Julia Hartley Brewer's knee during a dinner in 2002 and lunging at Jane Merrick, another political journalist, in 2003. The court heard how he had asked one of his victims about bondage and sex, then kissed her and groped her breast before chasing her around his home, chanting: Im a naughty Tory.. The farmer later claimed that on the first occasion, he had been trying to look at pictures of tractors before accidentally clicking on an adult website. Eduardo Munoz/Reuters/Alamy The Conservative Party has accepted more than a million pounds in donations from the energy sector since the last election, openDemocracy can reveal. Having resigned as digital minister in July to vote against the government proroguing - suspending - parliament, she confirmed before the vote she would again rebel. The Tory MP for Somerton and Frome had the Conservative whip withdrawn in April after allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use emerged. Asked whether he thought the PM would change his ways, Mr Zahawi said: "Its good leadership to come out and say I made a mistake and Im sorry for that. Thorpe was acquitted, but the trial ended his once-glittering parliamentary career. The protocol was agreed under Mr. Astrologer Russell Grant admits he was 'in denial' over brain tumour as he praises, Matt Hancock's 41-hour fight to save his career: Former health secretary asked 'how bad, Insulate Britain eco-activists jailed for talking about climate crisis in trial, Arctic blast sets off government's Cold Weather Payment - but are you eligible for the, Ex-civil servant condemns claims Sue Gray had 'political plot' after her appointment as, Without tougher Met reforms women cannot trust the police and cannot feel safe in, Caller stresses danger of cyclists to disabled people after disgusting sentence given, Furious Nick Ferrari forces caller to apologise after blaming Manchester Arena attack, Who is ready to reopen the Brexit fight, asks Andrew Marr - as Boris Johnson draws, Father 'sick to stomach' after parents are jailed over disabled daughter's death in, 'Parentswe're lost': Father deeply concerned by school's sex education after teacher, Intensive care doctor reveals horrors of working during Covid, after leaked Matt, Tory MP: Leadership contest could begin 'within 24 hours', 'It was the wrong thing to do': PM admits it was a 'mistake' to promote Pincher, Jo Churchill, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister, John Glen, City minister and economic secretary to the Treasury, Kemi Badenoch, minister for levelling up, equalities, Neil O'Brien, minister for levelling up, housing and communities, Julia Lopez, minister for media, data and digital infrastructure, Saqib Bhatti, Department of Health and Social Care, Felicity Buchan, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Bim Afolami, vice-chairman of the Conservative Party for youth. He then went to the police when Khan became an MP. The Metropolitan Police is considering an investigation into the alleged BYOB party that took place at No. "When the PM realised he had made a mistake, he came out and explained that. The Guildford MP quit her job as skills and apprenticeships minister minutes after Mr Johnson won the Tory leadership race, saying she had "grave concerns about leaving the EU without a deal". 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Sir Michael Fallon became one of the most high-profile casualties of the Westminster sexual harassment scandal in November 2017. Mr Sunak will. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt appeared to rebuff hopes of any spending largesse or the possibility of improved public sector pay next month, despite official figures showing state finances were stronger than expected. ", Speaking to Talk TV, Mr Afolami announced that he too would have to step down, adding: "I just don't think the Prime Minister any longer has, not just my support, but he doesn't have, I don't think, the support of the party, or indeed the country any more.". Its progress was further delayed last month when the government decided to make more changes to the bill. Winston Churchill's grandson, Nicholas Soames, was among the rebels, as were a number of Tory grandees, including . Ms Richards said in a statement that she could not serve "under the current circumstances". According to an email leaked toITV, more than 100 Downing Street staff were invited to the event by Boris Johnsons principal secretary, Martin Reynolds. Nearly 50 Tory MPs wanted to amend the Online Safety Bill to introduce two-year sentences for managers who fail to stop children seeing harmful material. 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. Get UK politics insight with our free daily email briefing straight to your inbox. The MP was stripped of his Conservative party membership for 12 weeks but it was restored in November. She withdrew her support. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. View our online Press Pack. "I will miss it hugely but pledge to do all I can to continue this important work from the backbenches. "Porn Tory" Neil Parish resigned in disgrace last month after admitting to watching X-rated videos in the Commons chamber. Sir Jeremy Wright, a former attorney general, said there was a "strong case" for extending criminal liability - but this must be "appropriately" designed, adding the rebels' amendment had been too broad. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. 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". David Amess is one of six British MPs to be killed in office since the second world war. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. In a sarcasm-laden speech to parliament before the vote, he added on a serious note there was "no precedent" for a government "pursuing a policy which they know a majority in parliament is opposed to". Minister for Schools Robin Walker said: "Unfortunately, recent events have made it clear to me that our great party, for which I have campaigned all of my adult life, has become distracted from its core missions by a relentless focus on questions of leadership.". The investigation was eventually closed and Vaz did not face charges. All three women accuse him of unwanted sexual comments and sexual touching, the newspaper said, and the latter also accuses the MP of having used cocaine at her home. Is Iran unleashing a nuclear arms race? To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The civil servant produced a highly critical report into . Mr Newmark, the MP for Braintree, told the BBC at the time: "I have no-one to blame but myself. 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. The former junior health minister said that during a private meeting with Mr Johnson on Monday he explained there needed to be a "safe exit" from the EU - which means leaving with a deal. 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. "Anyone quitting now after defending all that hasn't got a shred of integrity. The Somerton and Frome MP, who was elected in 2015, was suspended from the Tory Party in April over three allegations of sexual harassment which are being investigated by parliaments sleaze watchdog. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: This latest episode shows how far standards in public life have been degraded on Boris Johnsons watch. The great great-grandson of former prime minister Lord Salisbury said after days of difficult contemplation he could not vote for a situation that would harm his less well-off constituents. It was understood the Conservatives will not make a decision on whether the suspect has the whip suspended until after the police investigation is concluded. It follows concessions late last year on the issues of housing targets for councils and restrictions on onshore wind farms. Read more: Tory MP: Leadership contest could begin 'within 24 hours'. It is therefore time that we change the Prime Minister.". The draft law says this could be through measures such as age verification, taking content down, and parental controls. He later did not seek re-election in 2019. The ex-Dover MP was released last year after serving half of his sentence. The whips office has ordered the man to stay away from Parliament while the probe continues. NEW: Trouble brewing for Rishi Sunak on immigration. He said he wanted to remain in the Conservative Party to "save" it from the likes of Mr Johnson - whose rhetoric he blamed for receiving death threats. A Conservative MP has been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences spanning a seven-year period.
