Sussex MPs react to resignations of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid from government

Already in a tenuous position due to Partygate, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced heavy criticism over the last few days for his handling of allegations against former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.

And this evening two of his most senior cabinet members, Mr Sunak and Mr Javid have tendered their resignations in what has been seen as an attempt to topple the government.

Huw Merriman, Bexhill and Battle MP, tweeted: “I’m really proud of Rishi; he’s put his duty and love of his country before personal ambition and patronage. He speaks for me.”

Sally Ann Hart, Hastings and Rye MP, added: “Considering the further revelations that have come to light, and given that the integrity of Parliament must be upheld, on behalf of my constituents of Hastings and Rye I am no longer able to support Boris Johnson as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister.”

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, who has already called for Mr Johnson to resign, added: “Respect to @sajidjavid & @RishiSunak for being the first to step up and say they can no longer go on defending the indefensible. Pressure being put on ministers to go out and do Number Ten's bidding to protect the PM's dwindling integrity was appallingly unfair and unsustainable.”

Meanwhile Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas, said: “When your most senior cabinet colleagues believe you don’t have integrity and aren’t running the country ‘properly, competently and seriously’ it’s time to stop.”

A number of senior cabinet members have publicly backed Mr Johnson and now attention will be on other members of the government such as those who represent Sussex constituencies. These include employment minister Mims Davies (Mid Sussex), care minister Gillian Keegan (Chichester), minister for patient safety and primary care Maria Caulfield (Lewes), defence procurement minister Jeremy Quin (Horsham) and policy minister Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs).

Read more:

Boris Johnson: why did Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign as Chancellor and Health Secretary?

Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid’s letters in full: what they said in resignation statements to Boris Johnson