Robert Halfon joins mounting calls for Boris Johnson to be replaced as Tory leader

Former cabinet minister Robert Halfon has joined mounting calls for Boris Johnson to be replaced as Tory Party leader after admitting the scandal over the appointment of deputy chief whip Chris Pincher changed his view of the prime minister.

The chair of Parliament’s Education Select Committee issued a statement on Wednesday in which he stressed his loyalty to the Tory Party, but admitted: “I have never come out against a party leader. Until now. If there is a vote for change in leadership, I will now vote for that change.”

The Jewish MP also raised the issue of education spending, which he said would be dwarfed by spending on the NHS by 2025, writing: “Not only has there been a real loss of integrity, but a failure of policy.”

The Harlow MP’s intervention followed the shock resignations of both chancellor Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid from cabinet on Tuesday evening. Javid had given no clue to his decision to resign after giving the keynote speech at Jewish Care’s fundraising dinner in central London the previous night.

The resignations continued on into Wednesday, with speculation the backbench 1922 could quickly move to change the party’s rule that currently prevent a leader facing a second no confidence vote within a year.

Alex Chalk, the solicitor general, announced he could no longer defend “the culture and course” set by the PM.

He was immediately praised by the Jewish QC and former Justice Minister David Wolfson, who said Chalk was “an honourable man who has acted honourably.”

Former Jewish Leader Council employee Nicola Richards, the MP for West Bromwich, was amongst the intake of 2019 Tories to announce she was standing down as parliamentary private secretary to the Department for Transport.

The exits also led to a reshuffle in which Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, a vocal supporter of the community who had been at the forefront of challenging the  National Union of Students, was moved to the chancellor’s role.

Jewish News has learned that Penny Mordaunt, Trade Minister, has emerged as a favourite candidate of many Tories to replace Johnson as PM.

The wave of resignations were sparked after Johnson admitted he had been warned about the alleged conduct of Pincher, before making him deputy chief whip. Downing Street had first claimed Johnson was not aware of “specific allegations” against Pincher.