MP Michael Foster resigns from Government

Hastings and Rye MP Michael Foster defied the whip in last night's crucial war in Iraq debate in the House of Commons and has resigned from his Government position as Parliamentary private Secretary to the Attorney General.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Mar 2003, 09:34 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:19 BST

Mr Foster said he defied the Government whip and refused to vote.

He said today: "I feel very sad about it."

The MP said: "I will absolutely support our troops because they will be on the side of right.

"Their objective is a moral objective but I can't support the Government when they are pursueing something which I believe at the moment is illegitimate in the realms of the international context."

He said he had no problems with his boss's advice (the Attorney General) and that he had not been required to resign.

He said that he had been getting representations from both ways in the constituency. "At the end of the day I have examined my own conscience."

He added: I do not want to damage the Government."

He said: "I am a constituency MP above all. What matters is representing Hastings and Rye."