KEVIN HOLLINRAKE has said he is ‘sorry to hear’ about Boris Johnson’s resignation.

The Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton said that a ‘respectful leadership contest’ and ‘smooth transition’ should now be the focus following Boris Johnson’s resignation as leader of the Conservative Party.  

He said: “I am sorry to hear that Boris Johnson has today announced his resignation as Prime Minister.

“As you know, I supported him throughout the turbulence of the last three years and always admired his strength, resilience and optimism, which proved so effective in his delivery of Brexit, tackling of the Covid Crisis and support for Ukraine.

“Sadly, his position finally became untenable following the revelations and reactions to the Chris Pincher affair.

“We should now prioritise a respectful leadership contest and a smooth transition.”

Mr Hollinrake's comment comes after he hit out at Boris Johnson earlier in the week over the resignations of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid as chancellor and health secretary.

These resignations were a result of substantial criticism of Boris Johnson's government, and after the PM apologised for appointing MP Chris Pincher to a government role, despite there being a complaint against him.