Brandon Lewis has resigned as Northern Ireland secretary following Boris Johnson’s refusal to stand down, despite calls from some of his own cabinet ministers to do so.
He tweeted this morning: “A decent and responsible government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect – it is a matter of profound personal regret that I must leave government as I no longer believe those values are being upheld.
“I have submitted my letter of resignation to the prime minister.”
Politics hub: ‘No, I’m not going’, says Johnson
Mr Lewis had earlier been among the cabinet ministers who told Mr Johnson he should listen to the overwhelming view of the Conservative Party and resign, Sky News understands.
Mr Lewis had been Northern Ireland secretary since 2020.
Helen Whately also said she was resigning as a Treasury minister, telling the prime minister “there are only so many times you can apologise and move on. That point has been reached.”
A senior Number 10 source told Sky News Mr Johnson is remaining “absolutely defiant” and “does not intend to resign”, adding that the prime minister wants to “fight on”.