Simon Hart has resigned as Secretary of State for Wales following Boris Johnson’s refusal to stand down, despite calls from some of his own cabinet ministers to do so.
Mr Hart had earlier been among the cabinet ministers who told Mr Johnson he should listen to the overwhelming view of the Conservative Party and hand in his resignation, Sky News understands.
A senior Number 10 source told Sky News Mr Johnson is remaining “absolutely defiant” and “does not intend to resign”, adding that the prime minister wants to “fight on”.
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Mr Hart had been in the role since 2019.
In his letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Hart said: “I have never been a massive fan of Ministerial resignations being the best means of forcing change.
“Colleagues have done their utmost in private and public to help you turn the ship around, but it is with sadness that I feel we have passed the point where this is possible.”
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Mr Hart became the third cabinet minister to resign after former health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Mr Johnson sacked his Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who is understood to be one of the first serving ministers to indicate he was unhappy with the prime minister staying in his post.
