Watford’s MP has failed to confirm if he would have backed Boris Johnson in a second stint as prime minister as Rishi Sunak is named the country’s new leader.

Several people took to Twitter to question Dean Russell after a tweet of his suggested his vote would have gone to the former prime minister had he decided to run again.

Some of the comments have referred to Mr Johnson’s fixed penalty fine that he received for breaking his own Covid lockdown rules while he was leading the country.

Read More

The tweet from Mr Russell, said: “After @BorisJohnson’s decision not to go forward to the membership vote, I have spoken to @RishiSunak

“He assured me of his aims to unite the party, deliver Brexit opportunities and focus on growth. The UK needs certainty which is why I will vote for Rishi today.”

Watford Observer contacted Mr Russell and asked if he had planned to vote for Mr Johnson had he ran for prime minister.

Mr Russell’s press office responded: “Dean's reasons for backing Rishi are detailed in his tweet, and he is pleased that things can start moving forward.”

The comment came after Rishi Sunak was announced as the UK’s new prime minister.

Mr Russell did not answer any questions relating to Mr Johnson.

 

Labour and Liberal Democrat Watford representatives have called for an election since the UK’s new PM was announced.

Watford’s Labour parliamentary candidate Matt Turmaine said: “Conservative MPs have colluded among themselves and decided who the third prime minister in three months will be. Nobody got a vote.

“Rishi Sunak needs a mandate from the British people, and it should be they who decide if he is prime minister at a general election, not a cabal of MPs.”

He added: “His track record is one of failure; having raised taxes on ordinary working people, while a close family member was deliberately not paying UK taxes on their money.”

Liberal Democrat Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said Mr Sunak does not understand the struggles that families and pensioners are facing.  

He said: “People are fed up with this shambolic Conservative government.

“It’s time give local people a say in a general election.”

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.

Check out our Watford crime and court Facebook page here.