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07
Jul 2022
Ripon MP: Prime Minister causing 'constitutional crisis' by refusing to resign
Boris Johnson is causing a constitutional crisis and acting “Trumpian” by not resigning, says Conservative Ripon MP Julian Smith.
Mr Smith heavily criticised the Prime Minister in an interview with BBC Radios 4’s Today programme and said Mr Johnson had suffered a “catastrophic loss of confidence” among Tory MPs.
The comments come as Mr Johnson faced calls from his own MPs and some members of his cabinet to resign last night.
Yesterday, a record 40 ministers and aides quit the government. Brandon Lewis, Northern Ireland secretary, becoming the latest to step down this morning.
The Prime Minister has said he has a mandate from voters to continue.
But Mr Smith said:
Mr Smith joined Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, yesterday in calling for the Prime Minister to step down.
Read More:
- Harrogate district MP quizzed on reaction to Tory resignations
- Lib Dems on course to take Harrogate and Knaresborough, says YouGov
- Andrew Jones MP calls on Boris Johnson to resign
However, Nigel Adams, a Johnson ally and MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes parts of rural Harrogate, remains in the cabinet and is yet to comment.
This morning, Mr Smith said the country was in a constitutional crisis because Mr Johnson’s refused to leave Downing Street despite having no "confidence from his party".
He said:
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