Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries resigns from government
Dorries quits cabinet position following Liz Truss’ victory in the Conservative leadership contest
Nadine Dorries has decided to quit her position as Culture Secretary despite being offered the opportunity to stay on in the role by new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Dorries announced her resignation this morning in a letter addressed to the outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The letter stated: “I am delighted that Liz Truss has been elected as Conservative Party Leader. I know that Liz will be a worthy successor, protecting your legacy and providing both leadership and vision for the nation.
“I am humbled that your successor has extended her confidence in me by asking me to remain as Secretary of State for DCMS. However, after much reflection, I am writing to you to resign as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport at the point at which your successor is appointed. I have personally assured our soon-to-be Prime Minister that I will be better placed to support her from outside of the Cabinet.”
Dorries closed the letter with: “Thank you for your trust in me, your friendship, your support and always your optimism and belief in us all.”
She did not make any reference whatsoever to the status of the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review.
Dorries published her letter on Twitter with the following comment: “I have submitted my letter of resignation to the outgoing Prime Minister.
“I am humbled that Liz Truss extended her confidence in me by asking me to remain as Secretary of State for DCMS. I will always show her the same loyalty and support I have to Boris Johnson. Onwards!”
Dorries is now expected to be given a peerage by Johnson in his resignation honours list, which will trigger a by-election in her Mid Bedfordshire constituency.
Dorries was an outspoken critic of Truss’ leadership opponent Rishi Sunak throughout the leadership contest, with one controversial tweet likening Sunak to Brutus stabbing Julius Caesar over how he turned on former PM Johnson.
Truss is set to announce a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow, and it has been reported that Penny Mordaunt is expected to take over the position of Culture Secretary.