Dorries delays resignation amid honours list omission row

Nadine Dorries, a former cabinet minister and ally of Boris Johnson, has decided against immediately resigning as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire. Her decision follows the alleged omission of her name from Johnson’s resignation honours list by Rishi Sunak’s team. Dorries has demanded to see all correspondence related to the removal of her name and submitted Subject Access Requests to receive this information from the House of Lords Appointments Commission, Cabinet Secretary, and Cabinet Office.

In a series of tweets, Dorries explained that she had requested copies of WhatsApp messages, texts, emails, and meeting minutes concerning her nomination for the House of Lords. She emphasized that she fully intends to resign but needs time to review the provided information and stated, “this process is now sadly necessary.” Dorries assured her constituents that her office would continue functioning as usual.

Before Dorries’ announcement, Downing Street had expressed the importance of certainty for her constituents. The prime minister’s press secretary also commented on the unusual nature of an MP announcing resignation with immediate effect, only for it not to take place.

Boris Johnson himself left Parliament last Friday, ahead of the impending Commons report regarding accusations of misleading MPs over the Partygate scandal. Additionally, Nigel Adams, another close ally of Johnson, resigned as an MP last Monday after his name was reportedly removed from the list of approved peerages. The by-elections to replace these MPs will likely be held on either 3 July or 20 July.

As long as Dorries remains in her position, she can actively participate in the House of Commons, voicing her opinions while protected by parliamentary privilege. The Conservative Party, currently trailing behind Labour in national polls, had hoped for quick campaigns and minimal political impact from these by-elections. However, Dorries’ decision to delay her resignation could force the party into a potentially divisive by-election at a more inconvenient time, such as during the autumn party conference season.