Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie resigned as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Welsh Office, saying Boris Johnson’s position had become “untenable”.

 

Her comments came after Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid quit the cabinet. Both said they no longer had confidence in Mr Johnson’s leadership.

The Conservative MP for Ynys Môn, has always been considered to be a staunch supporter of the troubled PM, only last month she issued a statement saying it was time to ‘get behind’ Mr Johnson and work to tackle the challenges at home and abroad, following a Conservative confidence vote.

In a resignation letter to Mr Johnson, Ms Crosbie said his “inaccurate and contradictory” statements over what he knew about Chris Pincher were the final straw.

She added it was her belief the country had decided Mr Johnson “cannot be trusted to tell the truth”.

“This can never be a position to inhabit for anyone in public life, let alone a prime minister,” she added.

Ms Crosbie is the first Welsh Tory MP to publicly call for Boris Johnson’s resignation.

She said she had given the prime minister the “benefit of the doubt on many occasions”, but believed “the situation is becoming worse”.

Her full statement:

Dear Prime Minister.

I write to inform you of my resignation as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Welsh Office. It has been an honour to serve in the department alongside my wonderful colleagues.

Sadly, I am forced to say that the sheer number of allegations of impropriety and illegality — many of them centred around Downing Street and your Premiership – is quite simply making your position untenable.

I am of the view that if you continue in office then you risk irrevocably harming this government, and the Conservative party and will hand the keys of Downing Street to a Labour Party unfit to govern.

The inaccurate and contradictory statements over what you knew about the former Deputy Chief Whip’s conduct before you appointed him was the last straw. I cannot continue to defend your actions to my Ynys Mon constituents who are rightly very angry.

Like others, I have given you the benefit of the doubt on many occasions. This was in the hope you would gain control of the situation. However, I believe the situation is becoming worse.

I have no idea what is happening at Downing Street but it appears you are either badly advised or unable to change or reform the dysfunctional operation at the centre of the government you lead.

This dysfunction in no way reflects on the brilliant work many ministers are doing in other areas of government — often despite what is happening around yourself and your immediate entourage.

The situation is even more distressing when I consider what you have achieved with Brexit, in getting the country through the pandemic and in your leadership regarding the war in Ukraine.

I am also incredibly grateful for the support you have shown for nuclear power here on Anglesey and what that means to my constituents. My hope is this will be a lasting legacy.

However, these considerable achievements continue to be overshadowed by the simple calculation I believe the country has made – that you cannot be trusted to tell the truth. This can never be a position to inhabit for anyone in public life, let alone a Prime Minister.

The party I love, and this government are now facing continued distraction, scandal, and allegations of cover up. It is not representative of the vast majority of my colleagues.

They are hardworking, committed MPs and ministers who care deeply about their constituents and their country. They have supported you when many would have not done so. That is to their credit, but I am of the view that support is being abused.

I know the Conservative Party and this government are not broken at the core, but I believe they are now broken at the top. I fully understand my junior position in the government means little. I do this only because my conscience asks it of me and my silence on this most important of matters — ethics in public life – is in danger of condoning your actions.

You have achieved much, but I have no confidence you can achieve anything further other than leading the party into opposition and further debasing the office you have the honour to hold.

I know you love this country. You can serve it one last time by leaving office.

Yours sincerely,

Virginia Crosbie