MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale David Mundell has quit as UK Trade Envoy to New Zealand after he said he was “disappointed” Boris Johnson had not already stood down.

Mundell is one of 44 MPs who have resigned from the Government since Tuesday evening.

The 44 comprises three Cabinet ministers, 16 ministers, 20 parliamentary private secretaries, four trade envoys and one vice-chair.

During a day of high drama at Westminster Mundell tweeted: “I am very disappointed that the Prime Minister has not listened to the counsel of colleagues and stood down voluntarily in the interests of the country.

“Earlier this week I wrote to the Chairman of the 1922 Committee confirming I had no confidence in the Prime Minister and asking that a further vote of confidence be held. I hope this can now take place as a matter of urgency.

“Clearly such views are not compatible with holding a Government role and accordingly I have stood down as UK Trade Envoy to New Zealand.”

Earlier today (Thursday July 7 2022) he told Good Morning Britain: “We’ve had a series of dramas, one after the other with no end in site to them, and that has to be brought to a head. And ultimately resolving these issues on behalf of the country is actually more important than anything else.”