Lee Anderson, Brendan Clarke-Smith and Jane Stevenson have all resigned from the Government payroll after backing key amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill.
Anderson and Clarke-Smith, who had served as deputy chairmen of the Tory Party, stuck their necks out last night by confirming they would join a rebellion of right-wing Conservatives MPs looking to bolster Rishi Sunak's illegal immigration scheme.
The two Red Wall MPs tendered their resignations in a letter released ahead of Sir Bill Cash's amendment.
In the joint letter, the pair said: "We have already had two pieces of legislation thwarted by a system that does not work in favour of the British people.
Tory MPs preparing to rebel over the Government's Rwanda legislation have issued a strong warning to Rishi Sunak
PA
"It is for this reason that we have supported the amendments to the Rwanda Bill.
"This is not because we are against the legislation, but because like everybody else we want it to work.
"This task is not an easy one and we appreciate the fine balance that must be struck."
Appearing on GB News after announcing his resignation, Anderson said: "I don't think I could carry on in my role as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party when I fundamentally disagree with the Bill.
"I think most of the Bill is sound. I think it can work. But we need it beefened up, we need it strengthened over the next few days."
Stevenson, who served as a parliamentary private secretary in the Department for Business & Trade, also tendered her resignation tonight.
She said: "I have offered my resignation as a PPS this evening. I don't consider my votes to have been anti-Government, but they do warrant resignation.
"In the Chamber earlier I paid tribute to Rishi Sunak's work so far and welcomed his commitment made in Rome in December to lead talks on global frameworks."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-SmithGB NewsCash's amendment lost after 529 MPs voted against the "notwithstanding" clauses' attempt to stop the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights thwarting the Rwanda plan.
Fifty-eight Tory MPs supported Cash's proposal, with the Democratic Unionist Party also putting pressure on Sunak's Government.
Jenrick's proposal looking to remove the ability for asylum seekers to block their own removal through suspensive claims also failed to receive widespread support.
A total of 58 MPs voted for Jenrick's amendment but 525 MPs opposed the proposal.
The Newark MP has pushed two more amendments which hope to more completely exclude the Human Rights Act from the legislation and prevent so-called “pyjama injunctions” to bolster Rule 39 indications.
However, tonight's triple resignation came after Chief Whip Simon Hart "made clear" that anyone on the Government payroll who does not support Sunak this evening "will have made their position untenable".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Richard Tice has led Reform since 2021PAA source close to Anderson and Clarke-Smith warned: "It would be deeply unfortunate, sad and politically unhelpful for the Government to lose one of our most prominent and visible representatives of the Red Wall.”
The Prime Minister accepted Anderson and Clarke-Smith's double resignation, a Downing Street insider has confirmed.
The source said: "This is the toughest legislation ever brought before Parliament to tackle illegal migration."
"This Bill will make it clear that if you come here illegally you will not be able to stay.
"We must pass this bill to deliver what all Conservatives want - a credible plan to stop the boats."
Anderson, who was appointed deputy chair last February, confirmed he signed amendments put forward by Cash and Jenrick last night.
Lee Anderson GB NEWSHowever, the Ashfield MP rejected the suggestion his announcement amounted to a "rebellion".
He told GB News yesterday: "There's talk about being sacked and resignation and all this.
"The most important thing to me is not my role, as a deputy chairman, the most important thing to me is making sure this legislation works and I speak on behalf of the people of Ashfield."
Clarke-Smith also told this broadcaster: "The fact of the matter is we all want to make this legislation work. Sometimes you have to say what is in your heart, sometimes you have to say what you think is going to make that legislation better."
Reform UK leader Richard Tice tonight extended an olive branch to Anderson and Clarke-Smith in a move similar to Nigel Farage's efforts to woo Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless to defect to Ukip.
Tice told GB News: "I can confirm that Lee and Brendan would both pass our strict vetting process."
Robert Jenrick speaks to GB NewsGB NewsAnderson, who previously served as a Labour Councillor, responded by saying: "He's a good man, he's a great man. I like him and I class him as a friend but I think the best way forward to solve this problem is a strong Conservative Party with strong MPs like myself."
MPs will vote on a number of other amendments ahead of the Safety of Rwanda Bill's third reading, including Jenrick's attempt to block so-called "pyjama injunctions".
Despite receiving an early boost after Cash and Jenrick's amendments failed, Sunak could face a tough task in the House of Commons tomorrow.
Around a dozen Tory MPs intend to rebel on the Safety of Rwanda Bill if it is left unamended tomorrow.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, ex-Business Secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and co-chairman of the New Conservatives Miriam Cates all indicated they would vote against the Government.
Sunak would suffer a hammer blow if just 29 Tory MPs voted against the Bill or 57 decided to abstain.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MILLIE COOKE
