EX-MINISTER FACING DESELECTION
FORMER justice minister Phillip Lee faced the threat of de-selection last night after his decision to resign over Brexit sparked fury.
The GP said he was quitting to vote against the Government because he could no longer back Theresa May’s EU strategy.
Dr Lee, a friend of Mrs May, gave her only 15 minutes’ notice.
Last night, he tweeted: ‘I am incredibly sad to have had to announce my resignation as a minister... so I can better speak up for my [Berkshire] constituents and country over how Brexit is currently being delivered.’ Dr Lee is set to be hauled in front of an executive meeting.
Tory association chairman Chris Boutle called the move ‘regrettable’ and said ‘if an election were to be called it will count against him’ if he wanted to be reselected.
Yesterday, several constituents vowed not to vote for Mr Lee again. Sylvia Blake, 85, said he was ‘not supporting what the area voted for’, while Gary Hambledon, 67, said he ‘definitely betrayed us’.
Downing Street said: ‘We thank him for his service.’