Boris Johnson news: Latest updates as Lord Frost resigns as Brexit Secretary

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Lord Frost who resigned from the Cabinet (Peter Byrne/PA)

(PA wire)

Brexit Secretary David Frost has resigned from Boris Johnson’s government in protest of the “travel trend”, sparking a new crisis within Downing Street after an already turbulent week for the prime minister.

Lord Frost – one of the most popular cabinet members among the Conservatives – submitted his resignation a week ago and was persuaded to stay in office until January, but said last night he would be stepping down with “immediate effect”.

His resignation is a major political blow for a prime minister who is already facing a series of crises over ‘rallies’ at Number 10 during Covid restrictions, growing discontent with the Conservative Party’s backbenches over his leadership and this week’s historic loss in North Shropshire by-election.

Meanwhile, MP Steve Baker has fired Nadine Doris from the Tory WhatsApp group after he defended ‘champion’ Boris Johnson during an exchange of views on Lord Frost’s resignation as Brexit Secretary yesterday.

The messages were sent in a group called Clean Global Brexit made up of about 100 Conservative MPs after a week widely seen as the worst in the premiership.

Show latest update 1639906804 Prime Minister Boris Johnson appears to have broken the law on Christmas parties, says Mayor of London

Sadiq Khan said it “appears” that Boris Johnson broke the law over Christmas parties in Downing Street last December.

“If rule makers are seen as breaking the rules, it is not surprising that people are not following up on additional government announcements,” he added.

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 09:40

Sadiq Khan calls on the government to support the hospitality industry

Sadiq Khan has described the Covid-19 crisis for businesses in central London as “possible” and urged the government to provide financial support to them to prevent them from collapsing.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday morning, he said bars and restaurants were empty and West End shows were being forced to close.

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 09:30

Nadine Doris launches her Whatsapp group ‘Tory MPs’ after praising Boris

In the exchanges published by Sky News, a number of MPs discussed the impact of the resignation of Brexit Secretary Lord Frost on the ‘Clean Global Brexit’ group chat on Saturday night.

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 09:26

The Minister of Health said he “understands” the reasons for Lord Frost’s resignation

The health secretary said he “understands” why Lord Frost had chosen to resign from his role as Brexit minister.

Speaking on Sky Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Sajid Javid said: “I’ve had the privilege of working with him now for two years. I think he’s a fantastic civil servant and I think the way Brexit and how we’ve achieved these successes has been a central architect of that, so I hope him the best.

“But I understand his reasons, he’s a principled guy, you know, principled people resign from government – I know all about that – and that’s something… That’s a decision for him to make.”

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 09:02

Sajid Javid confirms Parliament summons if new Covid-19 restrictions are needed

Sajid Javid has confirmed that Parliament will be called to vote on any new coronavirus restrictions if necessary.

Asked if stricter measures would be taken, Mr Javid said: “We will do what is necessary – but it has to be backed by data.”

On whether Parliament will be summoned to approve new measures, he said: “If the prime minister is already clear to parliamentarians, if so, if any further action is needed, we re-summon Parliament and it should be a decision of Parliament. That’s just True and sound.”

Speaking to Sky’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday, the health secretary added that around 60 per cent of all new cases in England are omicron – but infections are likely to be at least five times higher than official case numbers.

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 08:56

Javid calls for unvaccinated people to apply for Covid-19 vaccines due to ‘the harm they are doing to society’

The health minister said unvaccinated people “should consider the harm they are doing to society” by not receiving Covid-19 vaccines.

Speaking on Sky Trevor Phillips Sunday, Sajid Javid urged those who haven’t been vaccinated against the coronavirus to apply for the injection.

He said 10% of the population – more than five million people – have not yet received vaccinations, and about nine in 10 of those who need the most hospital care have not.

Mr Javid said: “I cannot stress enough the impact they are having on the rest of society.

“They should really think about the damage they are doing to the community by … they took hospital beds that would have been used for someone who might have had a heart problem, or maybe someone who is waiting for elective surgery.

But instead of protecting themselves and society, they chose not to vaccinate. They have a really harmful effect and I can’t stress enough, please apply for the vaccine.”

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 08:47

1639902004 Boris Johnson ‘running out of friends’ as Brexit minister resigns

A senior Conservative MP has warned Boris Johnson that he is running out of time and friends to help deliver on his promises, with the Mail on Sunday reporting that Brexit Secretary Lord Frost has resigned.

The newspaper reported that it was the implementation of Plan B measures for the Corona virus that prompted Lord Frost to make his decision, including the implementation of Covid permits.

Andrew Bridgen, MP for Brexit (North West Leicestershire) warned that Lord Frost’s resignation showed the prime minister was “running out of time and friends to deliver on the promises and discipline of a true Conservative government”.

“Lord Frost made it clear, 100 Tory MPs made it clear, but most importantly the people of North Shropshire did it,” he wrote on Twitter.

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 08:20

Nadine Doris removed from conservative WhatsApp group for defending ‘hero’ Boris Johnson

The culture minister has been fired from the Tory WhatsApp group after defending ‘hero’ Boris Johnson during an exchange of views on Lord Frost’s resignation as Brexit Secretary yesterday.

Teresa Villiers, a former minister for Northern Ireland, called Lord Frost’s exit “extremely worrying” and MP Andrew Bridgen a “disaster”.

Then the Minister of Culture rushed to the side of the prime ministers. She wrote: “The hero is the prime minister who issued Brexit.

“I realize as someone said today that the King’s murder is in the DNA of the Conservative Party, but a little loyalty to the person who won 83 and got Brexit won’t spoil.”

Screenshots – obtained by Sky News – show MP Steve Baker, the former head of the European Leave Research Group, removing Doris from the group, writing: “Enough is enough” and an emoji for himself.

Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 08:07

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Emily Atkinson Dec 19, 2021 08:06

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