Updated 12.10

Transport secretary Grant Shapps was seen entering 10 Downing Street last night, and he was one of a group of senior ministers who urged Boris Johnson to resign.

Mr Johnson is resigning as Conservative Party leader today, paving the way for a Tory leadership contest in the autumn. However, until a new leader is elected, he said he intends to remain Prime Minister.

Grant Shapps had been one of Mr Johnston’s most loyal supporters until yesterday. More than 50 ministers and ministerial aides have resigned in protest over the past couple of days. They have included Nicola Richards, the MP for West Bromwich East, who was a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Transport. 

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘We are now facing the prospect of months of chaos at the heart of government which could seriously undermine the prospect of a settlement in the national rail dispute.

‘RMT is calling for today’s announcement to signal a change of direction from the government on the rail dispute and for ministers to unshackle Network Rail and the train operating companies, so a fair negotiated settlement can be achieved as soon as possible.’

source= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2022/07/07-transport-secretary-urged-boris-johnson.html