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12/03/2007
Government minister resigns over Trident plans
Deputy leader of the Commons Nigel Griffiths has resigned from his post in protest over the government's plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system.
The MP for Edinburgh South, who has been an MP since 1987, resigned two days before a House of Commons vote on the issue.
Making a statement after he handed in his resignation letter to Downing Street, Mr Griffiths said that he was resigning with "a heavy heart but a clear conscience".
He said that planned to make a personal statement to MPs and said that it was "only right that they hear the reasons first".
A Labour rebellion is expected over the £20 billion plan to build a new generation of submarines to carry the Trident nuclear missiles.
The Liberal Democrats have said that Parliament should not make a decision on the plans until at least 2012. However, the Conservatives support the plans.
According to reports, Jim Devine, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Health Minister Rosie Winterton, has also indicated that he may quit his post over the issue.
(KMcA/SP)
The MP for Edinburgh South, who has been an MP since 1987, resigned two days before a House of Commons vote on the issue.
Making a statement after he handed in his resignation letter to Downing Street, Mr Griffiths said that he was resigning with "a heavy heart but a clear conscience".
He said that planned to make a personal statement to MPs and said that it was "only right that they hear the reasons first".
A Labour rebellion is expected over the £20 billion plan to build a new generation of submarines to carry the Trident nuclear missiles.
The Liberal Democrats have said that Parliament should not make a decision on the plans until at least 2012. However, the Conservatives support the plans.
According to reports, Jim Devine, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Health Minister Rosie Winterton, has also indicated that he may quit his post over the issue.
(KMcA/SP)
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