Tories to face third by-election as Johnson ally resigns

1. Boris Johnson stepped down as an MP on Friday evening claiming he was “forced out of Parliament” over Partygate
2. Last night Johnson saw in advance a report by a committee over whether he misled Parliament, and in an explosive statement called the committee a “kangaroo court”
3. Nadine Dorries also resigned on Friday. It had been expected that she would received an honour from Johnson, but didn’t
4. A third MP – Nigel Adams – resigned on Saturday meaning the Conservatives are now facing three by-elections
5. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner called Johnson a “coward” who “doesn’t accept responsibility for his own actions”
6. But his former advisor, Will Walden, says he doesn’t think this is the end for Johnson – “he is preparing himself for what might be next”

Our coverage will now pause

Jamie Whitehead

Live reporter

We are going to pause our coverage now of what’s been another busy 24 hours for the Conservative party, which has seen three resignations – including the former PM, Boris Johnson.

You can read more on Johnson's departure here

And Laura Kuenssberg’s analysis is here

Today’s coverage was bought to you by Ece Goksedef, Alex Binley, Thomas Mackintosh and myself, along with contributions from Helen Catt and Chris Mason.

Thank you for joining us.

Government minister praises outgoing Johnson

PA Media

Speaking earlier, Scottish Conservative MP Andrew Bowie insisted it was not for members to determine whether or not Boris Johnson should have faced any consequences in Parliament.

The MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, who is also the minister for nuclear and networks, paid tribute to “all the former prime minister achieved” such as “delivering on Brexit” and “getting the fastest vaccine roll-out in the world” delivered.

He added: “Our focus is delivering on the priorities of the British people, that’s the focus of all of government.”

His remarks come after MPs voted to suspend the former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier for breaking pandemic rules.

Johnson believed Partygate events were 'necessary for work' - Gove

Reuters

Speaking at an event in Oxfordshire, Michael Gove set out what he says is how the former PM saw the gatherings.

The Levelling Up Secretary says Johnson will have believed that the events "were necessary for work" such as "saying thank you to his staff".

He continues that the ex-PM says he would have "then departed and then the more lurid events that went on occurred after he had gone and he feels he can't be held to account for what others did when he wasn't present".

Making clear he is setting out Johnson's argument, Gove adds: "That is his version, that is his story, I'm merely acting as a reporter."

Johnson has thrown grenades at No 10

Laura Kuenssberg

Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Reuters

So what happens next? Some MPs are actually cock-a-hoop despite the colossal mess. One tells me: "The man-baby has gone - so pleased!"

But allies talk up his chances of running for another seat some time. One former senior minister tells me "the question is does he plan to get another seat or even Mid-Beds?" - the constituency his close ally and former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has just left.

Another former cabinet minister says: "It would be very unwise for him to run again. He has a vociferous 20% in the party who like him but 80% don't. If he ran in a by-election the Lib Dems would murder him."

Would party HQ even let that happen? Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has changed the personnel in charge there. One senior figure pours a bucket of freezing water over the idea telling me: "Boris died today."

What is not clear yet is whether as that MP suggests the manner of his departure could "generate so much unrest I fear there will be an election much sooner than thought".

Johnson has thrown grenades at No 10 - not just the committee that has judged him - suggesting Sunak is not running a "proper Conservative" government.

One former ally says the ex-PM has "gone full circle, returning to his political home - a hut across the water where he can now lob rocks without any sense of responsibility or accountability - and that is ultimately very dangerous for his party and Sunak".

Read more from Laura here

What has been going on so far?

If you’re just joining us – welcome. Or if you’ve been with us since Johnson’s resignation yesterday – thank you. Here’s where we are:

• Nigel Adams has been the third Conservative MP to resign after Johnson and Nadine Dorries
• The Conservatives are now facing three by-elections, but our political editor Chris Mason says the party had started contingency planning
• Neither Dorries or Adams say they stepped down in support of Johnson and we haven’t heard anything from Rishi Sunak
• Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner called Johnson a “coward” this morning, saying he “doesn’t accept responsibility for his own actions”

There will be more coverage of this story tomorrow morning

BBC

Don’t forget Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg tomorrow where you’ll be able to get even more coverage of this story from Laura, her guests and panel.

You can watch live from 09:00 BST on BBC One, iPlayer and at the top of the live page we'll be running alongside the programme.

Johnson’s exit from Parliament is entirely on brand

Laura Kuenssberg

Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

EPA

Boris Johnson had to leave Downing Street last summer because a majority of his Conservative colleagues thought he was doing more harm than good.

Now a committee of MPs is set to judge he didn't tell the truth. That committee is made up mainly of Tory MPs. The former PM has faced the same procedure as other MPs that get into trouble.

And while Johnson claims he has been "forced out", remember he has chosen to quit before we even see the black and white of their verdict.

It is also a fact there are some Conservatives who begrudge him his success. It is also true that during his last few months in No 10 there were internal enemies trying to force him out.

But to dress that up as a grand conspiracy is, candidly, a stretch. One of those who knows him best told me his resignation announcement was "1,000 words that tell you everything about Johnson's mindset - it's your fault not mine".

Rather than confront what has happened or try to defend himself from the judgement that is coming, Boris Johnson made a political choice this week not to stay and fight.

As ever, the line between farce and tragedy is skinny. While most of the headlines screamed of the shock, the former prime minister's exit from Parliament is entirely on brand.

Read more from Laura here

Adams had already declared he wouldn't stand in next general election

Getty Images

Nigel Adams had already declared that he would step down at the next general election in 2024.

In April last year, he said he wanted to spend time on other interests after more than 10 years in parliament.

You can read more here.

Tories had started contingency planning

Chris Mason

Political editor

Amid the noise and drama this weekend, we are also seeing stuff happen that some had been thinking about for a bit.

The prospect of a by-election in Boris Johnson’s seat has been a possibility for some time.

The possibility of Nadine Dorries leaving her seat has, too.

I’m told the Conservative Party had begun contingency planning — conducting assessment centres for potential candidates for instance.

The party already has a candidate in Selby and Ainsty — selected yesterday.

None of this means they wanted this to happen for a moment.

By-elections sap energy, money and attention the party would rather focus on governing and the general election.

'Are we about to see open civil war within the Conservative Party?'

Rob Watson, UK political correspondent, has told BBC News that Nigel Adams was often described as “the unofficial chief of staff”, an absolute loyalist to Boris Johnson.

He then asked: “Are we about to see open civil war within the Conservative Party?”

Watson went on to say that looking at the state of the economy and high levels of inflation, it is hard to think of anything worse for Rishi Sunak than having to have three by-elections.

“Inevitably they always turn out to be mini popularity tests for the government,” Watson added.

But what does this latest resignation mean for the pm?

Watson answered: “Johnson has declared war on him, he needs to consider if he wants to declare war back on him. There is one question now: Is a civil war within the ruling party preventable?”

When might Boris Johnson attempt a comeback?

Helen Catt

Political correspondent

Boris Johnson's suggestion that he's leaving Parliament "for now" has sparked a lot of speculation about a comeback and when he might attempt it.

Could he try for an immediate return and stand in one of the by-elections in Nadine Dorries or Nigel Adams's seats (both of whom have bigger majorities)?

It's not been ruled out by some in the party, but it would seem problematic.

One supportive MP tells me they think Johnson will "bide his time".

But another, who described last night’s statement as a "cry of pain", suggested they thought there was "about zero chance" of Johnson standing for election anywhere in this Parliament.

Adams is third Tory MP to quit in two days

PA

The resignation of Conservative MP Nigel Adams is another blow for Rishi Sunak.

He is the third Tory MP to quit with immediate effect in two days, triggering another by-election.

The MP for Selby and Ainsty is an ally of Boris Johnson but did not link his resignation to that of the former PM.

Writing on Twitter, the 56-year-old said that his local party selected an "excellent new parliamentary candidate" on Friday.

"It has been an honour to represent the area where I was raised, educated & I want to thank my constituents for their wonderful support since 2010," he wrote.

Chris Mason

Political editor

I am told Nigel Adams did inform the party before announcing publicly he would be standing down with immediate effect.

Another resignation - and so a big question returns

Chris Mason

Political editor

How many more might follow?

Last night there was speculation there might be a flurry of resignations — and very quickly the likes of the now Dame Priti Patel and now Sir Simon Clarke said they were not giving up.

Others, though, didn’t return our calls.

Now Nigel Adams says he’s off.

A third by-election.

Who else might follow? We are continuing to make loads and loads of calls trying to find out.

And so are senior Conservatives — who are asking exactly the same thing.

BreakingAnother Tory MP resigns, forcing by-election

Chris Mason

Political editor

Blimey.

Another resignation.

Another by-election.

The chaos is spreading within the Conservative Party.

New information did not change committee instincts

Chris Mason

Political editor

Since about 5 o’clock last night when Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list was published, I have made dozens of phone calls and exchanged hundreds of WhatsApp messages.

Piecing together a whole blitz of these exchanges — and this won’t come as a surprise given what Boris Johnson has chosen to do — I understand the Privileges Committee did recommend a suspension from the Commons of more than ten days - the threshold with the potential to trigger a by-election.

There is deep anger, if not surprise, at the way Johnson and his allies have lashed out at the committee and the integrity of its members. The committee are duty bound to put party affiliation to one side, come to a view based solely on the evidence and not to speak publicly about their report until it is published.

The committee had received details recently of additional events involving Boris Johnson during Covid restrictions - which he insists were not a breach of the rules.

There are others who regard these events as illustrating a contempt for the very rules Johnson had devised.

But I understand this additional information, provided recently, didn’t substantially shift the instincts of the committee in terms of the conclusions it was intending to draw.

The committee will meet on Monday and the report is expected very soon after that — probably on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Johnson resignation triggers by-election

PA Media

Boris Johnson's resignation triggers a by-election in his west London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

He has a majority of 7,210, with Labour coming second in the 2019 general election.

Labour had hoped a strong performance at the next general election could turn the seat red - but now it looks like they will get a crack at taking the constituency sooner than that.

Johnson 'got Brexit and Covid vaccines done'

Boris Johnson's achievements include "delivering on Brexit" and "the fastest vaccine rollout in the world", a minister says, paying tribute to the ex-PM.

Andrew Bowie says Johnson's decision to quit was "purely a decision for the former prime minister", adding he can't say any more since he has not seen the Partygate report.

Bowie says he won't "second guess" whether Johnson's decision to go is a move designed to damage Rishi Sunak.

Asked about speculation that Johnson could stand for re-election in Nadine Dorries' now-vacant Mid Bedfordshire constituency, he refuses to be drawn on whether the Conservative Party would stop Johnson standing.

"I don't think anybody can second guess the former prime minister and what he may or may not do in the future, that's purely a matter for the former prime minister."

'Loads are just totally fed up of the pantomime'

Chris Mason

Political editor

The person I am talking to didn't quite say fed up. I’m toning down their language, describing the mood among many, many Conservative MPs.

There is deep frustration there will now be two by-elections the party could really do without. They cost time, money and attention.

So when could the by elections happen? The process can't start until Boris Johnson and Nadine Dorries have formally left parliament.

But people I talk to within the party envisage a timescale where they could happen before the summer recess – in other words in the next month and a bit.

What happens with the by-elections now?

Alex Binley

Live reporter

Reuters

The surprise exits of Boris Johnson – and fellow Tory MP Nadine Dorries - have triggered by-elections for the seats they held.

No date has yet been set for when the people of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, as well as Mid Bedfordshire, will head to the polls. But a vote will be held between 21 and 27 working days from when Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart sets the ball in motion.

At the 2019 election, Dorries won her seat with a comfortable majority of 24,664 votes, while Johnson had 7,210 on his second-placed rival.

No candidate from any of the three main political parties have yet thrown their hats into the ring to contest Dorries' former Mid Bedforshire seat, but the starting gun has sounded in Uxbridge and South Ruislip with Labour councillor Danny Beales and Blaise Baquiche of the Lib Dems set to battle it out.