Boris Johnson was under fire for his stunning resignation this afternoon as even David Davis said he did not need to quit as Foreign Secretary.
Mr Johnson rocked the Government by becoming the second Cabinet minister to walk out in less than 24 hours.
But he faces claims the dramatic move was designed only to fuel his own leadership ambitions.
Mr Davis said he had only resigned because the terms of Brexit were ‘central’ to his entire job – something he said was not true for Mr Johnson.
Meanwhile Ruth Davidson welcome the departure of Mr Johnson and other troublesome Brexiteers in the Government.
Boris Johnson (pictured in Downing Street last month) was under fire for his stunning resignation this afternoon as even David Davis said he did not need to quit as Foreign Secretary
Mr Davis said he had only resigned because the terms of Brexit were ‘central’ to his entire job – something he said was not true for Mr Johnson (the duo are pictured together last year)
Mr Johnson’s ministerial red box was removed from his official residence of Carlton Gardens this afternoon following his resignation
Theresa May paid tribute to Mr Johnson’s work as Foreign Secretary as she attempted to draw a line under the crisis in the Commons today (pictured)
Asked about his reaction by Iain Dale on LBC, Mr Davidson replied: ‘Regret, really. I had resigned because this was central.
‘This was central to my job and if we continue with this policy and I was still there, I’d have to present it in the House of Commons.
‘I’d have to present it in Europe. I’d have to be the champion of the policy which I didn’t believe in, so that doesn’t work.
‘Somebody else can do a better job than me under those circumstances. I don’t think it’s central to the Foreign Secretary. It’s a pity, but there we are.’
Mr Davis denied coordinating his resignation with Mr Johnson.
‘No, no. I told a number of ministers last night just before, well just after actually, now I think about it, I decided what to do, but that was just to keep them informed.’
Scottish Tory chief Ms Davidson said she fully supported Mrs May’s Chequers deal.
Meanwhile Ruth Davidson (file image) welcome the departure of Mr Johnson and other troublesome Brexiteers in the Government
She said: ‘The Prime Minister made clear this weekend that collective Cabinet responsibility must be observed on Brexit.
‘If individual ministers can’t sign up to that, then it is only right they are no longer part of the Government.’
Ms Davidson said the Chequers plan was a pragmatic response that honoured the referendum.
She added: ‘I believe therefore that the Prime Minister deserves our support as she prepares for the upcoming tough negotiations with the European Union.
‘I would urge colleagues to put their shoulders to the wheel in supporting the Prime Minister in that job.’
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: ‘Boris Johnson should have been sacked for being a national embarrassment months ago – not allowed to resign.
‘His resignation shows the absolutely chaotic circus this government has become and shows a Prime Minister with no authority.
‘The government is now paralysed in its own Brexit chaos.’