Boris Johnson has stripped the Conservative whip, and the right to vote in the leadership election, from Penny Mordaunt-backing MP Tobias Ellwood after he failed to support the UK government in the confidence vote.
Mr Ellwood, a former minister who chairs the Commons Defence Committee, had claimed he was unable to travel back from a meeting with the president of Moldova because of “unprecedented disruption”.
Nadine Dorries, the Culture Secretary and arch ally of the Prime Minister, angrily denied suggestions Mr Johnson was working to boost Liz Truss’s campaign for No 10 Downing Street.
Mr Ellwood did not seek formal authorisation for the trip after his permission slip not to attend the vote was revoked.
Mr Johnson called the confidence vote after Labour launched its own challenge to try to force him to leave office immediately.
Ms Truss, the Foreign Secretary, is being backed by Mr Johnson’s allies and is considered the most likely challenger to face Rishi Sunak in the run-off if she can overcome Ms Mordaunt, who has so far come second in voting among Tory MPs.
But a Tory source said: “Other Conservative MPs cancelled foreign trips, left poorly relatives, and one MP’s mother died on the morning of the vote, and they still attended and voted.”
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tories in charge of the leadership election, confirmed that those who lose the Tory whip, meaning they are kicked out of the parliamentary party, can no longer vote in the race.
With Mr Johnson’s move coming before the penultimate round of voting by Tory MPs on Tuesday afternoon, it prompted speculation that he was working for the benefit of Ms Truss’s campaign.
But Ms Dorries wrote on Twitter: “This is wholly untrue and frankly utterly ridiculous.
“Every single MP of every party is under no illusion regarding the price to be paid in not voting during a Gov confidence motion. It’s a very clearly defined and historic red line. Tobias could have voted like everyone else.”
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British Trade Secretary Penny Mordaunt is one of the candidates in the race to replace Boris Johnson as British Prime Minister. AFP -
During her brief tenure as defence secretary, Ms Mordaunt arrives with John Michael Mulvaney for a Buckingham Palace banquet also attended by then-US president Donald Trump. Getty Images -
Prince Charles meets Penny Mordaunt and MP Tobias Ellwood at a reception at St James's Palace, London, in 2019. Getty Images -
Ms Mordaunt leaves a service at Westminster Abbey, London, in 2019, shortly after her appointment as UK defence secretary. Getty Images -
Ms Mordaunt as secretary of state for international development at the annual Conservative Party conference in Birmingham in 2018. Getty Images -
Leaving No 10 Downing Street after being appointed secretary of state for international development in November 2017. Getty Images -
Ms Mordaunt takes part in a BuzzFeed News and Facebook live EU referendum debate in London in 2016, when she was minister of state for the armed forces. Getty Images -
As part of Brexit referendum campaigning, Ms Mordaunt sits behind the wheel of the 'Vote Leave' battle bus as it stops in Portsmouth in May 2016. Getty Images -
She visits RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland in 2015. Getty Images -
Ms Mordaunt with her Labrador cross Penny Lane, during the Westminster Dog of The Year competition in 2012. Getty Images
MPs voted 349 to 238, by a majority of 111, to support the motion stating that the Commons has confidence in the government, but Mr Ellwood’s name appeared on the 'no vote recorded' list alongside 11 other Conservative MPs.
A spokeswoman for the Tory whips’ office said: “Tobias Ellwood MP has lost the Conservative Party whip following his failure to vote in support of the government in the confidence vote last night.”
A Conservative source said the other Tories who appeared on the list with Mr Ellwood were appropriately paired with other MPs for the purpose of the vote, giving them a valid excuse not to attend.
Mr Ellwood, who was first elected in 2005 as Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, said he had been unable to return from a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in the nation’s capital of Chisinau, near the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.
“Following my meeting yesterday with the President of Moldova, I was unable to secure return travel due to unprecedented disruption both here and in the UK,” Mr Ellwood said in a statement.
“I am very sorry to lose the whip but will now continue my meetings in Ukraine promoting the prime minister’s efforts here and specifically seeking to secure the reopening of Odesa port – so vital grain exports can recommence.”
The victory means he is expected to continue in Downing Street until September, when Tory members choose the winner from the final two leadership candidates selected by Tory MPs.
Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said: “It is telling that Boris Johnson acted swiftly to punish Tobias Ellwood this time, but dragged his feet for days when it came to suspending the whip from his loyal supporter Chris Pincher.
“This petty act shows there is no room in the Conservatives any more for those who refuse to prop up Johnson.
“The Conservative leadership candidates should condemn this move and make clear they will restore the whip to Tobias Ellwood.”
