By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A Nottinghamshire MP has become the latest in a string of Conservative politicians to say they have lost confidence in the Prime Minister.
Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, a former Boris Johnson loyalist, announced he has withdrawn his support for him in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning (July 6).
It comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid both resigned within minutes of each other on Tuesday evening.
Mr Anderson said he shared the news “with a heavy heart”, saying his position had changed after controversy relating to Tamworth MP Chris Pincher.
Mr Pincher resigned from his post as Deputy Chief Whip last week after he was accused of groping two men in a private members’ club.
Earlier on Tuesday, it was confirmed that the prime minister was previously told about an investigation into Mr Pincher’s inappropriate behaviour in 2019.
This followed repeated initial statements from Number 10 that Mr Johnson was unaware of specific allegations against his former deputy chief whip when he appointed him to the role. Mr Johnson has since apologised.
“It is quite obvious this was not a good appointment and to make matters worse number 10 did not act quick enough in removing the whip after Mr Pincher resigned”, Mr Anderson wrote.
He added: “I cannot look myself in the mirror and accept this. It is my belief that our PM has got all the big decisions right and guided us through the most difficult time in my life time and I have always backed him to the hilt. That said integrity should always come first and sadly this has not been the case over the past few days.
“I do not hold a position I can resign from so the only thing I can do is make my feelings known to my constituents and party members. This statement may upset some people and I am sure some people will be delighted with the demise of our PM but I have a job to do and I must do it with a clear conscience.
“My focus has always been my constituents many of whom are friends, family and neighbours and my loyalty to them is paramount.”
Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith supported the MP in a tweet on July 5:, saying “getting on with the job #BackBoris.”
Mansfield MP Ben Bradley, also the Conservative leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has so far not commented.
Nottinghamshire’s other Conservative MPs; Gedling’s Tom Randall, Rushcliffe’s Ruth Edwards and Broxtowe’s Darren Henry, have been contacted for comment.
