UK schools minister Robin Walker has resigned from his post, saying he cannot “in good conscience” serve in prime minister Boris Johnson’s government.
It comes after children’s minister Will Quince handed in his resignation this morning, leaving DfE with three ministerial vacancies. Michelle Donelan was promoted from university minister to education secretary after Nadhim Zahawi landed the chancellor gig.
Robert Halfon, chair of the education select committee, also said he has “lost confidence” in Johnson.
In Walker’s letter of resignation, he said: “I have always believed it is the job of our party to strike the right balance between efficiency and compassion, but the image being projected from the struggles of the last few months is that we risk achieving neither.
“You won the confidence of your colleagues just a few weeks ago but the events and revelations have since undermined this.
“I have publicly supported you as leader of our party and the prime minister but I am afraid I feel I can do so no longer, and although I cannot think of a more rewarding job than the one I have been doing, I cannot in good conscience continue to serve in your government.”
Walker added the government’s “great achievements” on Brexit, protecting livelihoods during Covid and supporting the union has become “overshadowed by mistakes and questions about integrity”.
But he said it had been a “great honor” serving as a minister.
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