Nadine Dorries has been urged by a second town council in her Mid Bedfordshire seat to resign immediately as she came under fire for having “scant interest” in her constituency.
The former Culture Secretary announced on June 9 she was quitting Parliament with immediate effect after she was snubbed for a peerage. However, she is yet to formally resign more than two months on from her pledge.
Shefford Town Council has accused Ms Dorries of having “abandoned the local area” in an open letter.
Shefford Town Council call for MP Nadine Dorries to step down. pic.twitter.com/AQ3hcFaHGr
— Shefford Town Council (@SheffordTC) August 17, 2023
“Nine weeks have now passed and you have not resigned,” says the letter, published on social media site X.
It adds: “In your role as the acting Member of Parliament of Mid-Bedfordshire, residents of Shefford feel that, due to your scant interest in your constituency, your aversion to attending local events or services and your lack of a maintained constituency office, the local area has been “abandoned” by yourself.
“In addition, your behaviour and actions reported in the press are in direct violation of ‘The Seven Principles of Public Life’…which apply to anyone who works as a public officeholder and all those who are elected or appointed to public office.”
It comes after Flitwick Town Council called on Ms Dorries to “immediately vacate your seat” in July amid “concerns” about her focus on her television work.
Ms Dorries last made a written contribution in parliament when she laid a ministerial statement last September as Boris Johnson handed over the reins to Liz Truss. She last voted in the House of Commons in April and has been absent for most votes since September.
A petition on the 38 Degrees website about Ms Dorries has attracted more than 78,000 signatures calling for her to stand down.
Ms Dorries has been contacted for comment.
