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Conservative party junior vice chairman Rehman Chishti resigned his post this afternoon, continuing an avalanche of departures in Theresa May’s top team.
He said his reasons for resigning were both the draft agreement for leaving the EU as well as the UK’s handling of Asia Bibi’s asylum case – Chishti is also the PM’s trade envoy to Pakistan.
Chishti is now the fifth significant politician to hand in their notice today (Thursday.) Suella Braverman, work and pensions secretary Esther McVey, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Northern Ireland minister Shailesh Vara all left this morning. The list of Conservative resignations continues.
The latest departure said he was disappointed with the “lack of leadership” shown by Theresa May.
My letter of resignation sent to PM @theresa_may stepping down as Vice Chairman @Conservatives & PM Trade Envoy to Pakistan. 1. Cannot support Draft EU Withdrawal Agreement. 2. Very disappointed by lack of leadership shown by UK Gov to do morally right thing in Asia Bibi Case. pic.twitter.com/hcaxba1hJr
— Rehman Chishti (@Rehman_Chishti) November 15, 2018
Chishti wrote: “At the outset, this, for me, is about delivering to the British people at the General Election last year in our manifesto, that leaving the European Union means leaving the single market and customs union.
“It would not be appropriate for me to continue in these roles, which I very much enjoy, as it would require me to advocate for a position which I feel is contrary to our firm manifesto commitment.”
