KEY figures in Colchester’s political scene spoke out today after Colchester MP Will Quince resigned from his position as Minister for Children and Families.
Mr Quince said it was “with great sadness and regret” that he left what he described as “the best job in government.”
As recently as Monday, he had publicly defended the Prime Minister’s appointment of Chris Pincher as the deputy chief whip of the Conservative party.
Quince told the BBC he had been given “a categorical assurance” the PM was unaware of allegations made about Pincher before his appointment, only for it to emerge hours later Mr Johnson had in fact known of the allegations.
Leader of Colchester Conservatives Darius Laws defended Mr Quince’s position and instead took aim at the government, calling on Mr Johnson to resign.
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He said: “I do think Will had no option – he was let down badly by No 10.
“I think Boris Johnson has to do the honourable thing and fall on his sword – he has to do the right thing for his party and his country.”
Colchester Council deputy leader Adam Fox said Mr Quince should have resigned sooner, adding the MP had been “absolutely humiliated” by defending the PM’s appointment of Mr Pincher.
He said: “I don’t think he had any choice [but to resign].
He said: “He was absolutely humiliated on Monday defending the Prime Minister and repeated what turned out to be another lie of Johnson’s – his position was untenable.
“If you talk about integrity and honesty, you have had scandal after scandal after scandal.
“He could have and should have resigned earlier, because honesty and truth really do matter in politics.
“I think Will should have done better.”
Leader of the Colchester Liberal Democrats on Colchester Council Martin Goss branded Mr Quince as “foolish” and said he had turned on Mr Johnson for the benefit of his own career.
He said: “Will Quince has only resigned now to save his future career, and the fact is, he has looked foolish to the nation – he clearly puts his career first over constituents.
“You can no doubt see Will Quince backing the next Prime Minister who will best aid his political career.
“He turned on David Cameron and now finally has seen the sense to desert Boris Johnson.”
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