Boris takes revenge: Arch-critic Tobias Ellwood has his Tory whip stripped for not voting for the government in the vote of confidence last night – despite being on an official visit to Moldova
- Ellwood lost the whip after failing to vote in last night’s confidence vote
- Ex-soldier is the Chairman of the Defense Committee and is currently in Moldova
- He was one of 12 Tories to abstain in the vote comfortably won by PM
Boris Johnson took revenge on one of his loudest Tory Critics today for not supporting his government.
Former Minister Tobias Ellwood was stripped of his party whip after failing to vote in last night’s confidence vote in the House of Commons.
But the move is likely to be seen as driven purely by the prime minister’s desire to get even with a backbencher who has made little secret of his dislike for him.
Mr Ellwood, a former soldier, is the Chair of the Defense Committee and is currently in that capacity on an official visit to Moldova.
He was one of 12 Tories to abstain in last night’s confidence vote, which Mr Johnson comfortably won 349-238 thanks to his large majority.
A Tory Whips Office spokeswoman said: “Tobias Ellwood MP has lost the Conservative Party whip after failing to vote in support of the government in last night’s confidence vote.”
Former Minister Tobias Ellwood was stripped of his party whip after failing to vote in last night’s confidence vote in the House of Commons.
But the move is likely to be seen as driven purely by the prime minister’s desire to get even with a backbencher who has made little secret of his dislike for him.
Mr Ellwood, a former soldier, is the Chair of the Defense Committee and is currently in that capacity on an official visit to Moldova.
Ministers and backbenchers with valid reasons for not voting in Parliament are usually paired with those in similar positions in opposition parties to keep the balance of voting groups fair.
It’s not clear why Mr Ellwood wasn’t paired last night. He is a retainer and longtime critic of the Prime Minister, who has long called for him to be replaced as Tory leader despite not running in the leadership contest to replace Mr Johnson.
