Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has resigned from the Cabinet, telling the Prime Minister that Government requires “honesty, integrity and mutual respect”.

Treasury minister Helen Whately was also one of those to resign this morning, telling Boris Johnson there “are only so many times you can apologise and move on”.

Security minister Damian Hinds has also resigned, saying: “It shouldn’t take the resignation of dozens of colleagues, but for our country, and trust in our democracy, we must have a change of leadership.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London. Picture date: Wednesday July 6, 2022.

George Freeman confirmed he had resigned from his post as science minister.

Pensions minister Guy Opperman has also resigned, the fourth this morning alone, telling Boris Johnson “recent events have shown clearly that the Government simply cannot function with you in charge”.

Brandon Lewis told the Prime Minister in a resignation letter that he had “given you, and those around you, the benefit of the doubt”.

“I have gone out and defended this Government both publicly and privately,” the Northern Ireland Secretary told Boris Johnson in his resignation letter.

“We are, however, now past the point of no return. I cannot sacrifice my personal integrity to defend things as they stand now. It is clear that our Party, parliamentary colleagues, volunteers and the whole country, deserve better.”

Alister Jack launches defence of Boris Johnson as he claims Prime Minister was ‘...

He told the Prime Minister that he was submitting his resignation with “regret”, but said that a divided Conservative party cannot win elections.

The Northern Ireland Secretary, who took over the role in early 2020, told Boris Johnson that the Government had taken “huge strides to level up the economy of Northern Ireland and have not shied away from taking other difficult decisions; confronting the practical issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol, advocating for the reproductive rights of women and championing the benefits of integrated education for all”.

Mr Lewis continued: “A decision to leave Government is never taken lightly, particularly at such a critical time for Northern Ireland. I have taken a lot of time to consider this decision, having outlined my position to you at length last night.

Mr Lewis told the Prime Minister that in recent months, the Conservative Party has been “relentlessly on the defensive, consumed by introspection and in-fighting”.

“A divided Party cannot win elections. It cannot deliver for those who trusted us with their votes for the first time in 2019.

Ms Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, said: “With sincere regret I am resigning from HM Government.

“I stood for Parliament because I want to make our country a better place.”

“Your vision for our country and your mission to level-up has inspired and galvanised people,” she added.

“As Exchequer Secretary I have seen this in practice and been proud to play a part. I have argued that you should continue as Prime Minister many times in recent months, but there are only so many times you can apologise and move on. That point has been reached.”

Pensions minister and Hexam MP Guy Opperman wrote on Twitter: “I resign with great regret, given there are serious ongoing issues that need addressing ranging from cost of living support, to legislation, & parliamentary debates.

“It should not take the resignation of 50 colleagues, but sadly the PM has left us no choice. He needs to resign.”

In his letter to the PM, he added: “I have given you ample opportunity to show real change. Sadly, recent events have shown clearly that the Government simply cannot function with you in charge. In good faith and for the good of the country, I must ask you to stand down. No one individual, however successful in the past, is bigger than the party, or this great country.”

Late last night Conservative MP Gareth Davies has quit as parliamentary private secretary to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Boris Johnson’s woes deepen with further early morning resignations as Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis quits