Aviation and maritime minister Robert Courts has said he will remain in his post, amid widespread government resignations and news that Boris Johnson will step down as party leader.
He made his comments as the BBC reported that Johnson will resign as Conservative Party leader today (July 7). The broadcaster also said Johnson hopes to stay on as prime minister until autumn on an interim basis while a successor is appointed.
Courts said on Twitter: “This is the right decision. Against a profoundly difficult backdrop, the PM got the big calls right on Covid & led the world in supporting the Ukrainian people. For that he deserves credit.”
He added: “My focus remains on serving the people of West Oxon & discharging my ministerial responsibilities: protecting passenger safety & working to ensure resilience as we approach a challenging Summer. Transport cannot be put on hold while Westminster sorts itself out.
“The machinery of government must keep moving to provide the governance the public expects & our country deserves.”
This is the right decision.
Against a profoundly difficult backdrop, the PM got the big calls right on Covid & led the world in supporting the Ukrainian people. For that he deserves credit. (1/3) https://t.co/XO9B8yK8zO
— Robert Courts MP (@robertcourts) July 7, 2022
It was reported on Wednesday that a delegation of ministers including transport secretary Grant Shapps urged Johnson to stand down.
Two parliamentary private secretaries had earlier resigned from their roles in the Department of Transport amid the mass walk-out of government officials.
Huw Merriman, chair of the Transport Select Committee, also put out a statement of no confidence in Johnson on Wednesday as he was part of a group of MPs questioning the prime minister in Westminster.
More: DfT aides resign as Shapps tipped to tell Johnson to stand down
Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston also remains in his post at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
He said in a statement on Wednesday: “I am very sorry to see talented ministers leave office as they have contributed so much.
“I am fully aware that the prime minister and the government – of which I am part – need to work hard to earn back the confidence of the British public.
“We will do this by focussing on the priorities of the people who elected us, including tackling the cost of living, levelling up opportunities, and working internationally to restore global stability following the shocks of the pandemic and invasion of Ukraine.
“I have a responsibility to serve my constituents to the best of my abilities, while also in my ministerial role helping the sectors I oversee, such as tourism and sport as they recover from the pandemic.
“I am focussed on delivering major international sporting events including the Women’s Euros which start today, and the Commonwealth Games which start in just 22 days time.”