Tory MP Christian Wakeford defects to Labour party amid 'Partygate'

Tory MP Christian Wakeford has defected to the Labour party amid a growing row over Boris Johnson's confession he went to a party in Downing Street during lockdown.

Wakeford told Johnson that “you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves”.

On Tuesday, Wakeford confirmed to Yahoo News UK that he had submitted a letter of no confidence in the prime minister to the 1922 Committee, and warned of growing discontent in the intake of 2019 Tory MPs who snatched so-called 'Red Wall' seats from the Labour party.

Wakeford announced his defections minutes before prime minister's questions, forcing Johnson into an uncomfortable position as he already faces rebellion from within his own ranks.

Watch: Christian Wakeford crosses the House of Commons floor to join the Labour party

As the Commons gathered, Wakeford crossed the floor, officially joined the opposite benches.

In his letter of resignation from the Conservative Party, Wakeford said: "Britain needs a government focused on tackling the cost of living crisis and providing a path out of the pandemic that protects living standards and defends the security of all.

"It needs a government that upholds the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life and sadly both the Prime Minister and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves.

"Being elected as MP for Bury South was the proudest day of my life. I care passionately about the area and will always be grateful to those who have supported me.

"Today, however, I am in no doubt that they will be better served by my joining a party that genuinely has their interests at heart."

Johnson has been left fighting for his political life after admitting last week to attending a party in the garden of Downing Street in May 2020, when the rest of the nation was under strict COVID laws.

Despite issuing a humbling apology in the House of Commons last week, the PM has failed for quell the growing anger within his own ranks.

According to Telegraph, Johnson was "broken" and "close to tears" on Monday night as he called mutinous MPs in an attempt to convince them not to send their letters in.

The mutiny has been dubbed a "pork pie plot", because one of the organisers is Alicia Kearns, new MP for Rutland and Melton, home of the Melton Mowbray pork pie.

Watch: Keir Starmer welcomes defected Tory MP Christian Wakeford to Labour