Richard Tice extends olive branch to Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith following shock resignations

Richard Tice extends olive branch to Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith following shock resignations

WATCH: Matthew Stadlen says Tory Party are tearing themselves apart over Rwanda

GB News
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 16/01/2024

- 20:29

Updated: 17/01/2024

- 07:27

It comes amid tensions within the Conservative Party over the Rwanda bill

Reform UK has invited Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith to join the party following their shock resignations from the government.

Reform leader Richard Tice has said the party is open for them to defect from the Conservatives.


It comes as Reform has U-turned and decided to field a candidate in the upcoming Kingswood by-election.

Former Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe would be standing for Reform in South Gloucestershire after the party initially didn't field a candidate.

Reform leader Richard Tice

Richard Tice has invited Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith to join Reform

PA

Richard Tice told GB News: "I can confirm that Lee and Brendan would both pass our strict vetting process."

It comes as Anderson and Clarke-Smith, confirmed they would join a rebellion of right-wing Conservatives to try to tighten the Rwanda bill.

Meanwhile,parliamentary private secretary in the Department for Business & Trade Jane Stevenson has also offered her resignation.

A Downing Street insider confirmed that the Prime Minister accepted Anderson and Clarke-Smith's double resignation.

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\u200bTory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith

Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith resigned from his role as Deputy Chairman of the Tory Party

GB News

Lee Anderson told GB News: "I can't be in a position to vote for something I don't believe in. At the end of the day, small boats are coming and they'll keep coming. I want to see a situation where anybody who arrives illegally in this country has no right to claim asylum.

"I think this bill could work but it needs strengthening up. That's why I backed the amendments and ultimately resigned.

"The Conservative Party gave me a home when I was politically homeless. They backed me... I still think the Conservative Party is the best party moving forward to get us out of this mess.

"It's very kind of Richard, we've had a few dingos over the past few weeks but he's a good man. But the best way forward is a strong Conservative party with strong MPs like myself."

GB News has approached Brendan Clarke-Smith for comment.

Only 58 Conservative MPs backed the "notwithstanding” amendment put forward by Brexit veteran and Stone MP Sir Bill Cash.

The Democratic Unionist Party also put pressure on the Prime Minister to toughen up the legislation by voting against it.

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 defeat if just 29 Tory MPs voted against the Bill or 57 decided to abstain.

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