“Destructive, Divisive And Selfish”: Defence Minister Slams Jacob Rees-Mogg
12 December 2018, 17:42 | Updated: 12 December 2018, 22:55
The defence minister ripped into Jacob Rees-Mogg, describing his bid to topple Theresa May as “destructive, divisive and selfish”.
Tobias Ellwood said Mr Rees-Mogg and other Tory members of the ERG did not represent the Conservative Party.
“They need to ask themselves what banner they are wanting to fly here,” Mr Ellwood told Eddie Mair.
“They’re not the government and they’re not the party”.
He spoke as Theresa May addressed Tory MPs ahead of a vote of no confidence in her leadership.
The secret ballot returned in the Prime Minister's favour, with 200 out of 317 supporting her.
Mr Ellwood, who backed the PM, took aim at those bidding to topple her - including Mr Rees-Mogg.
“If you war-game what he is actually trying to do, it is destructive, it is divisive and it is actually selfish,” he said.
Meanwhile, despite Mrs May's victory, Mr Rees-Mogg has told LBC she should still resign.
"In all constitutional normality she ought to stand down because she cannot get her business through parliament," he told said.
“A Prime Minister is a person who can get business through parliament.”
