The Conservative leader and deputy leader remain in place, Downing Street said on Wednesday night. Wendy Morton, MP for Aldridge-Brownhills in the West Midlands since 2015, was appointed chief whip by Mrs Truss just six weeks ago. As chief whip, she is responsible for maintaining discipline in the Conservative party. Her deputy, Craig Whittaker, is also believed to have resigned from his post. But ITV News political editor Robert Peston has since said the pair “still have their jobs” and have effectively resigned. Earlier, Peston said there was “absolute confusion” in No 10. After hearing the news of the resignations from a senior government member, a Downing Street source told him they had “no idea”. During the debate on Wednesday afternoon, Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire asked if “strong rumours” the head of government had resigned after a vote on Labour’s fracking proposal could be confirmed. The shadow leader of the Commons said: “There are very strong rumors that the leader of the government has apparently resigned. I wonder if it is possible to get more clarity than rumours.” He added: “I am asking for your guidance … as this is a matter of parliamentary discipline.” Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing replied: “It raises an issue about whether a member of the government has resigned. I have not been given such information. I don’t know more than that and it’s not procedural for the presidency.” The reported resignations followed the resignation of Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who resigned on Wednesday afternoon after sending “an official document from my personal email to a trusted parliamentary colleague”. She said this breach of security protocol meant she had to step down from her role. In her resignation letter, Ms Braverman took a swipe at the government, saying she was concerned about its direction. Ms. Braverman was later replaced by Grant Shapps.
