Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis quit his job on Thursday morning to further shake up Boris Johnson’s government.
Mr Lewis resigned, tweeting: “A decent and responsible government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect. It is a matter of deep personal regret that I have to leave the government because I no longer believe those values are upheld.
“I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister.”
His departure comes after the resignation of Welsh minister Simon Hart on Wednesday, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid on Tuesday.
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, spoke with Johnson on Wednesday to outline the extent of backbench opposition. A new director will be elected to the committee on Monday, which could change leadership rules.
Live updates
Finance Minister Helen Whately resigns
Helen Whately, Treasury Secretary of the Treasury, has resigned.
She told Boris Johnson there was “only so many times when you can apologize and move on” and that the “point had been reached” for him to leave.
Breaking: Brandon Lewis resigns as Northern Ireland minister
Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis has resigned from cabinet.
He said: “A decent and responsible government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect – it is a matter of deep personal regret that I have to leave the government because I no longer believe those values are upheld.”
It leaves Northern Ireland without a functioning government in Stormont and a cabinet minister in London.
Braverman launches leadership bid – but refuses to step down
In an extraordinary appearance on ITV’s Peston last night, Attorney General Suella Braverman called on the Prime Minister to resign but refused to resign from the Cabinet.
She said: “The balance has now tipped in favor of saying the Prime Minister – it pains me to say it – but it is time to go.”
She said she will put her name in the ring if there is a leadership contest.
She told Peston: ‘My first duty is to the country, Robert, and as a lawyer I am the senior law officer.
“And we are in a crisis and I have legal and constitutional duties…
“I don’t want to resign because I have that duty. We need a lawyer in the government.”
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to the live coverage of the Evening Standard.
It promises to be another hectic day in Westminster as the prime minister clings to power after the resignation of dozens of ministers and ministerial assistants.
A brief summary of yesterday’s events:
Boris Johnson dramatically fired Housing Secretary Michael Gove over the phone after telling him to leave office
– Attorney General Suella Braverman called on the Prime Minister to resign live on ITV, while also announcing she would run for party leader. However, she emphasized that she would not resign from the cabinet
– The prime minister defied calls to resign, with No10 sources saying he would fight on after warning colleagues that dumping him would create a damaging leadership struggle and a Labor government
– Former Health Minister Sajid Javid used his resignation statement in the House of Commons to say “enough is enough” and challenged other ministers to consider their views