David Simmonds MP urges Johnson to quit

David Simmonds MP urges Johnson to quit

The Conservative MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner has said “it is time” for the prime minister “to step down”.

David Simmonds told The Times newspaper: “I listened to what the prime minister had to say at prime minister’s questions, his statement and the 1922 Committee yesterday following the publication of the Sue Gray report.

“Having reflected on what he said, and the views of constituents and my Conservative Association, it is clear that while the government and our policies enjoy the confidence of the public the prime minister does not.

“Accordingly, it is time for him to step down so that new leadership can take forward the important work of the government in ensuring that our people and country prosper.”

His remarks come after his fellow Conservative MPs Julian Sturdy and John Baron also urged Johnson to resign following yesterday’s publication of the full Sue Gray report into lockdown gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall.

Simmonds was first ‌elected‌ ‌to‌ ‌Parliament‌ ‌in‌ 2019‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌majority‌ ‌of‌ 16,394 ‌over‌ ‌the‌ ‌Labour Party.

Earlier this month he suggested that Boris Johnson needed to confront the “partygate affair”, and said it had been responsible for heavy Conservative losses in the 2022 local elections.