List of Labour resignations

List of Labour resignations

Some members of the Labour Government are reconsidering their role in Parliament over the issue of a possible war with Iraq.
Here is a list of the ones who feel they cannot support the prime minister's position.

Wednesday

0659 GMT - It emerges that David Kidney, parliamentary private secretary to Environment Minister Michael Meacher, quit his post on Tuesday evening. He voted with the rebel amendment.

Later, Hastings MP Michael Jabez Foster says he too has resigned as parliamentary private secretary to Attorney General Lord Goldsmith after abstaining in Tuesday's votes.

Tuesday

2300GMT - Sandra Osborne, aide to Scotland secretary Helen Liddell, quits her post after abstaining in Tuesday's Commons vote.

She said war should only be conducted with a second UN resolution.

1156GMT - Anne Campbell, Labour MP for Cambridge, resigns from her role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Patricia Hewitt, secretary of state for trade and industry.

1139GMT - Bob Blizzard, Labour MP for Waveney, resigns as Parliamentary Private Secretary to work and pensions minister Nick Brown.

1111GMT - Home Office Minister John Denham resigns saying: "I cannot support the government in tonight's vote."

0700GMT - Lord Hunt of Kings Heath announces his resignation as junior health minister on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, saying: "At the end of the day I don't support this action and it would be hypocritical for me to stay in government."

Monday

1617GMT - Leader of the House of Commons Robin Cook resigns after a meeting with Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street.

He said: "Neither the international community nor the British public are persuaded that there is an urgent and compelling reason for this action in Iraq."

Mr Cook's parliamentary private secretary Ken Purchase automatically leaves the government as a result. He has since signed the rebel amendment in the Commons.

Sunday 9 March

Labour MP for Loughborough Andy Reed resigns saying he has no choice but to quit as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett because he feels so strongly about the crisis.