Brexit minister Lord Frost’s late Saturday night resignation prompted frenzied reaction on social media including a lively row on a Conservative party Whatsapp group ending with culture secretary Nadine Dorries being deleted by former chair of Brexit supporting backbenchers in the European Research Group.
Some welcomed Frost’s departure, others immediately went to leadership questions.
Here’s what they said:
Nigel Farage, former head of UK Independence party and Brexit leader: “Lord Frost is leaving the government because he is a conservative and true Brexiteer. Boris Johnson is neither” – Twitter
Dominic Cummings, former adviser to Boris Johnson: “Frosty built a great team, with great officials & spads working harmoniously, to do an outstanding job in extremely tough circumstances given the [PM] wd smash & crash hourly, promise us Churchillian resolution then collapse, & wd never read the papers” – Twitter
And that Tory WhatsApp group row:
The row on the Whatsapp Conservative Party Whatsapp group, Clean Global Brexit, as revealed by Sky News’s Sam Coates.
Theresa Villiers, former Northern Ireland secretary: “Very worrying that Lord Frost has gone.”
Andrew Bridgen, backbencher and Brexiter: “Worrying? It’s a disaster. Lord Frost was concerned about the policy direction of the gov. So are most of the Conservative backbenchers.”
Marcus Fysh, backbencher, in reply: “Frost is a hero and 100% right on this. The whole point of Brexit is radical supply side reform and moving away from the EU model, yet ministers are happy just to give hard won power put in their hands to achieve this to officials who will do the opposite.”
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, backbencher, in response: “This is a further hammer blow to the PM. He desperately needs a really strong adviser at No 10 who he can trust. Probably from the Brexit team. A leadership challenge is not the answer at the moment because all the same underlying problems will be there.”
Culture secretary Nadine Dorries, in response: “The hero is the Prime Minister who delivered Brexit. I’m aware as someone said today that regicide is in the DNA of the Conservative party, but a bit of loyalty to the person who won an 83 majority and delivered Brexit wouldn’t go amiss.”
Steve Baker, former chair of the ERG, then deleted Dorries from the group, saying: “Enough is enough.”
Andrew Bridgen: “About time, thanks Steve.”
EXC - big row in a Tory Whatsapp “Clean Global Brexit” group with over 100 MPs
— Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) December 18, 2021
It leads leads to removal of Nadine Dorries after she defending the PM … and then Steve Baker declaring “enough is enough”
Exchanges here: pic.twitter.com/SsktMPJNSW
Andrew Bridgen again: “The Prime Minister is running out of time and out of friends to deliver on the promises and discipline of a true Conservative Government.
“Lord Frost has made it clear, 100 Conservative backbenchers have made it clear, but most importantly so did the people of North Shropshire.” – Twitter
Simon Hoare, chair of the Northern Ireland affairs committee: “I can’t say I’m sorry. He was unsuited to the “doing of politics”, never understood the need for personal rapport or the importance of trust. I hope whoever takes over will be from the Commons where we can all question directly.” – Twitter
Nikki da Costa, former former director of legislative affairs at No 10: “Lord Frost is one of the most disciplined, focused, and strategic individuals I have ever met. A formidable brain but also a leader who, with Oliver Lewis, brought together talented officials to deliver the impossible. He has nerves of steel and somehow gave us faith to wait.” – Twitter
Lady Hoey, former Labour MP and Brexiter fighting Northern Ireland protocol in the courts: “Terrible news. The only Minister who understood the protocol couldn’t work. Brilliant in the Lords with the many many EU zealots and Rejoiners Calm and thoughtful. A big blow to Government – shows how far they have moved away from Taking Back Control over Protocol.” – Twitter.
Arlene Foster, former DUP leader: “The resignation of Lord Frost from the cabinet is a big moment for the Government but enormous for those of us who believed he would deliver for NI. Wishing him all the best.” – Twitter
Julian Smith, former Northern Ireland secretary: “The interests of Northern Ireland – across community now has to be the priority as the government finalises its negotiations with the EU. Pragmatism and solutions for both unionists and nationalists is key. Dogma has run its course” – Twitter
Lionel Barber, former editor of the Financial Times: “So farewell, Lord Frost You did a lot of damage in a very short time. Your timing is as opportunistic as ever (E.J Thribb)” – Twitter