Midlands MP resigns from Boris Johnson's government (original) (raw)
A Black Country MP has resigned from Boris Johnson 's Government. Nicola Richards, who represents West Bromwich East in Sandwell, announced her resignation on Twitter.
She was a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Department for Transport. Ms Richards, who was elected in December 2019, said she had taken a 'tough decision' to resign.
She tweeted: "I will always remain loyal to my constituents and the Conservative Party. Tonight I’ve made the tough decision to resign as a PPS."
READ MORE:Live updates as Boris Johnson under pressure after Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign
It comes amid a wave of resignations tonight from politicians in Mr Johnson's Government - most notably Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid. And it follows allegations surrounding Conservative MP Chris Pincher.
In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Ms Richards wrote: "I am grateful for the opportunity to support Ministers and the Secretary of State for Transport in their ambitions to level-up and invest in transport infrastructure across the country. I am also pleased to see a strong team in the whips office that I know are capable of making the changes to the culture that are so vital.
Nicola Richards' resignation letter (Image: Nicola Richards)
"However, it's with great sadness that I write to let you know that I feel it is no longer feasible for me to carry out the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Transport. At a time when my constituents are worried about the cost of living and I am doing my best to support them, I cannot bring myself to serve as a PPS under the current circumstances, where the focus is skewed by poor judgment that I don't wish to be associated with.
"I am loyal to my constituents and will always put them first. I am also loyal to the Conservative Party, of which is currently unrecognizable to me. I believe something must change.
"I, therefore, tender my resignation as a PPS in the Government with immediate effect."
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