Starmer suffers first resignations as calls to quit grow

Keir Starmer has suffered his first resignation as the calls for him to step down as prime minister grow. 

Tom Rutland, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, issued a statement calling for Starmer to quit.

A PPS acts as an unpaid parliamentary assistant, providing a link between the senior frontbencher and backbench MPs. The role is widely regarded as the first step on the ministerial ladder.

Rutland said that the prime minister “has lost authority not just within the parliamentary Labour Party but across the country and that he will not be able to regain it.”

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He added: “That significantly impedes the ability of the government to deliver the change that people voted for at the general election – change that we must deliver…

“I do not have faith that the prime minister can meet this challenge. It is not compatible to hold this view and continue to serve on the frontbench, so I have resigned as a parliamentary private secretary to the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, and will continue to represent my wonderful constituents in East Worthing and Shoreham from the backbenches.”

Naushabah Khan has resigned as a PPS in the Cabinet Office.

In a statement, Khan said: “I did not enter politics to stand by while we fail. We need a clear change of direction now and no game playing. A Labour government can and will rise to meet the moment if we act now.

“I am calling for new leadership, so that we can rebuild trust and deliver the better
future that the British people voted for.”

Sally Jameson, a PPS in the Home Office, has also called for Starmer to resign. 

Jameson called for the prime minister to “set out a clear timetable for his departure in September or shortly after. In addition the NEC [national executive committee] should ensure that all potential candidates have the opportunity to stand and any timetable, I hope, would reflect this.”

Joe Morris, a PPS in the Department of Health and Social Care, has also reportedly called for Starmer to step down.

Morris and Jameson have not stated that they have stepped down from their government roles.

Collectively, Rutland, Jameson, Khan and Morris are the first frontbenchers to call on Starmer to step down as prime minister, after a day in which the number of backbench MPs calling for change at the top has snowballed.

By some counts, as many as 60 MPs have now indicated their belief that Starmer should resign.

This is a breaking story. Further details will be published as they develop.