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Rail minister Claire Perry resigns | Rail minister Claire Perry resigns |
(35 minutes later) | |
The government's rail minister has resigned - just after telling MPs she did not believe quitting would help resolve problems with train services in London and south-east England. | |
The Department for Transport confirmed Claire Perry had quit, but did not give reasons for her departure. | The Department for Transport confirmed Claire Perry had quit, but did not give reasons for her departure. |
On Wednesday she said the chaos on Southern routes "feels like a failure". | On Wednesday she said the chaos on Southern routes "feels like a failure". |
There has been mounting anger from commuters after repeated cancellations and late-running services. | There has been mounting anger from commuters after repeated cancellations and late-running services. |
Passengers have held protests with services hit by industrial action and high levels of staff sickness, while the company has attempted to ease the problem by cutting 341 trains a day. | Passengers have held protests with services hit by industrial action and high levels of staff sickness, while the company has attempted to ease the problem by cutting 341 trains a day. |
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is among those calling for the government to strip Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which includes Southern, of its franchise. | London Mayor Sadiq Khan is among those calling for the government to strip Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which includes Southern, of its franchise. |
MPs grilled Ms Perry on the issue during a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday afternoon. | MPs grilled Ms Perry on the issue during a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday afternoon. |
She said: "At the moment I do not have the levers to pull to take the franchise back. | She said: "At the moment I do not have the levers to pull to take the franchise back. |
"So what are we going to do? If I thought it would help by me falling on my sword, I would. | "So what are we going to do? If I thought it would help by me falling on my sword, I would. |
"I've thought about it repeatedly. I don't like failure, I don't fail at stuff in my life, this feels like a failure." | "I've thought about it repeatedly. I don't like failure, I don't fail at stuff in my life, this feels like a failure." |
It is not yet known who will replace Ms Perry, with new Prime Minister Theresa May currently in the process of appointing her new government. | It is not yet known who will replace Ms Perry, with new Prime Minister Theresa May currently in the process of appointing her new government. |
Former Commons leader Chris Grayling was appointed transport secretary on Thursday, replacing Patrick McLoughlin, who becomes the Conservative Party's chairman/ |