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| Boris Johnson: Brandon Lewis resigns as Northern Ireland secretary | Boris Johnson: Brandon Lewis resigns as Northern Ireland secretary |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020 | |
| Brandon Lewis has resigned as Northern Ireland secretary as the crisis over Boris Johnson's leadership grows. | Brandon Lewis has resigned as Northern Ireland secretary as the crisis over Boris Johnson's leadership grows. |
| Mr Lewis was among previously-loyal cabinet ministers who told the prime minister on Wednesday that he needed to step down from office due to a loss in support. | |
| Mr Johnson is fighting to stay on as prime minister despite his support collapsing. | |
| He insists he has a "colossal mandate to keep going" from voters. | |
| Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020. | Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020. |
| He had faced criticism from political parties over his handling of the power-sharing crisis at Stormont and the Northern Ireland Protocol. | He had faced criticism from political parties over his handling of the power-sharing crisis at Stormont and the Northern Ireland Protocol. |
| Resignations continue after Patel calls for PM to go | |
| Government resignations: Who has gone, who is staying? | |
| Mr Lewis tweeted on Thursday that a "decent and responsible" government relies on "honesty, integrity and mutual respect". | Mr Lewis tweeted on Thursday that a "decent and responsible" government relies on "honesty, integrity and mutual respect". |
| He said it was a matter of profound personal regret that he "must leave" government as "I no longer believe those values are being upheld". | He said it was a matter of profound personal regret that he "must leave" government as "I no longer believe those values are being upheld". |
| As the crisis for Boris Johnson was beginning on Tuesday, I was told by a source: "If he decides to soldier on, Brandon Lewis will be his trusted lieutenant." | |
| But now even the long-standing lieutenant has gone, with Boris Johnson struggling to keep on top of the mass resignations. | |
| While the prime minister attempts to cling on, there's fresh uncertainty for Northern Ireland without a secretary of state. | |
| With Brandon Lewis out, Northern Ireland will be on course (at some point) to get a fifth secretary of state in six years. | |
| Their eventual in-tray will include dealing with the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation, the controversial Troubles legacy bill going through Parliament and restoring devolution at Stormont. | |
| But the crisis engulfing the Conservatives means it's likely those issues will slip down the next government's list of priorities. | |
| In his letter to the prime minister, Mr Lewis said a decision to leave government is "never taken lightly particularly at such a critical time for Northern Ireland". | |
| He said he had "served loyally" and defended the government "both publicly and privately". | |
| A decent and responsible Government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect - it is a matter of profound personal regret that I must leave Government as I no longer believe those values are being upheld.I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/EG6u52BdDc | A decent and responsible Government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect - it is a matter of profound personal regret that I must leave Government as I no longer believe those values are being upheld.I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/EG6u52BdDc |
| "We are however, now past the point of no return. | |
| "I cannot sacrifice my personal integrity to defend things as they stand now. | |
| "It is clear that our party, parliamentary colleagues, volunteers and the whole country deserve better." | |
| Mr Lewis became the latest cabinet minister to quit on Thursday, followed by Treasury minister Helen Whately. | |
| The prime minister sacked Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove in a shock move on Wednesday, | |
| His sacking came after more than 40 ministers and aides resigned - a record for a 24-hour period. | |
| Mr Johnson now has around 20 ministerial posts he needs to fill after the resignations. |