BREAKING: Tory MP Nadine Dorries RESIGNS, Triggering Imminent By-Election

Nadine Dorries, a key ally of Boris Johnson, has dramatically quit as an MP ‘with immediate effect’. 

Dorries is among the names who have been tipped to appear in the former prime minister’s honours list, expected later this afternoon. But it was reported overnight that her name had been removed to avoid a byelection.

Dorries served as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2021 to 2022 under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and it is now believed that she may now appear on the honour’s list after all – but this is yet to be confirmed.

I have today informed the chief whip that I am standing down as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, with immediate effect.
It has been an honour to serve as the MP for such a wonderful constituency but it is now time for another to take the reins.

— Rt Hon Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) June 9, 2023

Asked about the fact that this morning that “the last thing” she wanted to do was cause a by-election, she said she “can’t reveal everything”, but cryptically said: “Something significant did happen to change my mind.”

She said “new life is opening up” in front of her, including a new granddaughter, and so now is the time to “do the right thing”.

Asked if she is resigning because Rishi Sunak blocked her peerage, she flatly denied it, saying a prime minister does not have that power.

However, she said she does feel “a sense of relief” having resigned because she is unhappy with what has happened in the Tory party over the last year – namely the defenestration of Boris Johnson as PM and Rishi Sunak’s appointment.

There will now be a by-election in Mid Bedfordshire, to be announced at a later date.

This is a breaking story. VoteWatch will update in due course.