enior Tory MP and former Brexit secretary David Davis has called on Boris Johnson to resign in a dramatic intervention that will heap pressure on the prime minister.
Speaking at PMQs in the Commons, Mr Davis said: “ I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take.
“Yesterday he did the opposite. I will remind him of a quotation from Leo Amery to Neville Chamberlain in 1940: ‘You have sat there too long for the good you are doing… in the name of god, go.’”
It comes as more Tory MPs have submitted no confidence letters in Boris Johnson this morning, according to reports.
Government sources told Sky News that 12 new letters had been given to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, amid growing anger over Mr Johnson’s explanation of the “partygate” scandal.
Bury South MP Christian Wakeford, who was elected in 2019, crossed the Commons floor to join Labour. He cited Boris Johnson’s “disgraceful” conduct as a reason for leaving the Tories.
Live updates
Rayner welcomes Wakeford to Labour
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has said she “welcomes” Christian Wakeford joining the Labour Party.
Speaking to media as she left Parliament, she said: “I welcome it, I really welcome it.”
She did not answer any questions about his previous voting record.
PM ‘will fight any bid to oust him as leader’
The prime minister’s press secretary has suggested Boris Johnson will fight any bid to oust him as leader, writes Rachael Burford.
When asked if the PM would fight a ‘no confidence’ vote brought by his MPs, his press secretary replied: “Yes”.
She added: “Our focus is very clear in terms of delivering the ambitious agenda that we have set out, that we were elected on in 2019 and we want to continue to work together as Conservatives to deliver this.”
On the defection of MP Christian Wakeford, she said the party was “obviously sorry to see a colleague who was elected by constituents who voted for a Boris Johnson-led government leave and attempt to put Keir Starmer into No 10, which will be a disaster for the country”.
WFH guidance dropped ‘immediately’, says No10
Downing Street confirmed the guidance in England on working from home where possible was being dropped immediately.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Government is no longer asking people to work from home if they can… that is effective immediately.”
Pandemic not over for health service – NHS Providers
Chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson has told the BBC that the pandemic is not finished for the health service.
Mr Hopson said NHS trusts are telling him they do not believe the peak in hospitalisations has yet been reached, which is likely to come later this week or early next.
“What we’ve got is 16,000 people in hospital with Covid, compared to 3,500 six months ago. So the NHS is still under very, very significant pressure,” he said
Mr Hopson added that while the case numbers have peaked and then dropped very fast, the numbers of people in hospital is likely to come down much more slowly.
PM urged to review mandatory vaccinations for frontline workers
The Prime Minister was urged to review mandatory vaccinations for all health and social care staff in England.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) said he “wholeheartedly” welcomed the announcement of Plan B measures being dropped, but added: “I would ask the Prime Minister to review again the need to sack domiciliary workers and NHS workers.”
Conservative former minister Esther McVey also said: “I too want to question on behalf of the 100,000 NHS workers the mandatory vaccinations. Given the chief medical officer told MPs that vaccination had a minimal impact on transmission, isn’t it the case now there is no reason at all for mandatory vaccinations for care workers and NHS staff?
“Over the last two years, these people have worked tirelessly on the front line, and we have clapped these key workers. Can the Prime Minister now make sure he doesn’t sack them? It is utterly unjustifiable.”
Boris Johnson said: “I think the evidence is clear that health care professionals should get vaccinated.”
‘Let’s see what Wakeford’s constituents think’, says minister
Minister for London Paul Scully said Christian Wakeford has “made his decision” now following his departure from the Conservatives.
While leaving Parliament, he told media: “He’s made his decision and we’ll see what happens, and what his constituents think of him, now.”
Outlining his thoughts on how Mr Johnson handled PMQs, he added: “I couldn’t hear a lot of it from where I was standing but he sounded strong.
“We’re waiting for Sue Gray and we’ll see what happens.”
‘Wakeford entry into Labour is a sham’, says Momentum
Momentum has also reacted to the defection of Christian Wakeford to the Labour party.
They say: “So let’s get this straight. Keir Starmer has just welcomed an anti-BLM, climate-change denying, pro-tax dodging Tory MP onto the Labour benches.
“But he still refuses to return the whip to a former Labour leader with a history of fighting inequality and injustice.
“An utter sham.”
Watch: Moment Davis calls on PM to resign
David Davis calls on Boris Johnson to ‘go’ as pressure grows on PM
PM confirms intention to end legal requirement to self-isolate
Boris Johnson confirmed the intention to end the legal requirement to self-isolate in the coming weeks.
He told MPs: “As we return to Plan A, the House will know that some measures still remain, including those on self-isolation.
“In particular, it is still a legal requirement for those who have tested positive for Covid to self-isolate.
“On Monday we reduced the isolation period to five full days with two negative tests, and there will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether, just as we don’t place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu.
“As Covid becomes endemic, we will need to replace legal requirements with advice and guidance, urging people with the virus to be careful and considerate of others.
“The self-isolation regulations expire on March 24, at which point I very much expect not to renew them. Indeed, were the data to allow, I’d like to seek a vote in this House to bring that date forward.”
Sir Keir responds to lifting of Plan B
Sir Keir says: “The 438 deaths recorded yesteday are a solemn reminder that this pandemic is not over… We must remain vigilant and learn from mistakes made by this government.
“With new variants likely we must have a robust plan to deal with Covid.
“He’s too distracted to do his job.”
He asks why ministers are not unveiling plans for “living with Covid”, such as ramping up NHS capacity or plans to vaccinate the world.
Sir Keir adds: “They are all too busy plotting their leadership campaigns to do the job.”
He says Labour would produce a “roadmap” for dealing with the future of the pandemic.
Discussion about this post