Disgraced MP back in Tory fold for PM confidence vote
SHAMED MP Andrew Griffiths was invited back into Parliament last week - to help keep Prime Minister Theresa May in power after the Conservative Party whip was restored to him.
The MP for Burton, whose constituency covers a number of villages near Ashbourne, had been suspended from the party since mid-july for sending a series of sex texts to two barmaids.
But the Chief Whip restored his place in the party to enable him to vote. Mr Griffiths said: “Theresa May has shown huge determination and bravery in negotiating and arguing for her [Brexit] deal. I believe she remains the best person to deliver the Brexit people in Burton and Uttoxeter voted for, and I will be supporting her in the ballot.”
Mr Griffiths has been sitting as an independent MP since his suspension from the party. He also resigned as Minister for Small Business but has refused to step down as MP for Burton and Uttoxeter. But Mrs May needed his support in the secret ballot as a Conservative MP to help win a majority and save her job following the decision to call a vote of no confidence.
The vote was cast after some Conservative MPS were unhappy about the progress of Mrs May’s Brexit negotiations and the required total of 48 MPS casting votes of no confidence – 15 per cent of the Tories – was achieved.
The votes were cast on Wednesday and Mrs May survived it, retaining her leadership of the Conservative Party by 200 votes to 117.