THREE Conservative local authority group leaders have called for Boris Johnson to quit, as Hyndburn Tory MP Sara Britcliffe said she was "bitterly disappointed" with the Prime Minster's behaviour.

The Tory group bosses of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Burnley Councils all said it was time for the Prime Minister to go.

Miss Britcliffe, elected in the 2019 Tory general election 'Red Wall' dismantling, stopped short of calling for Johnson's resignation.

However, she did say: "I'm bitterly disappointed with what we have seen over the past two weeks."

Lancashire Telegraph: Sara Britcliffe stopped short of calling for the Prime Minister to resignSara Britcliffe stopped short of calling for the Prime Minister to resign

Only she and Ribble Valley Conservative MP and House of Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans responded to the Lancashire Telegraph's request for comment this morning, following a string of ministerial resignations including Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

Pendle MP and transport minister Andrew Stephenson, former Northern Powerhouse minister and MP for Rossendale and Darwen Jake Berry, and Burnley Tory backbencher Antony Higginbotham were all unavailable for comment.

But in the wake of the political storm caused by 10 Downing Street's changing account of Mr Johnson's knowledge of alleged sexual misconduct by former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, East Lancashire Tory local authority bosses spoke out.

Cllr John Slater, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council's Conservative group, said: "Unfortunately I feel that the Chris Pincher incident was the last straw for the Parliamentary party and for myself.

"I thought that Boris has the potential to be a great Prime Minister. Unfortunately for him history will tell a different story.

"When people do not trust the Prime Minister, it is time for him to consider his position."

Burnley Council's Tory group leader Cllr Alan Hosker said: "I think Boris should go.He's told too many lies. It's time for a change."

Cllr Marlene Haworth, leader of Hyndburn Council's Conservative group, added: "I think possibly Boris should be should be going gracefully but at the same time I feel he needs our support.

"I totally understand how people feel. We cannot change what is happening in Westminster. We are just focusing on the council by-election in Great Harwood."

Ribble Valley Council's Tory group leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson said: "Obviously the confidence vote is a matter for the Parliamentary party, but the country need to see an improvement in the government's performance as soon as possible."

Blackburn's Labour MP Kate Hollern said:"Boris Johnson's government has been falling apart for months and it's finally come to a head.

"These cabinet ministers have known this Prime Minister to be a liar, a law breaker and stood by him as he mocked the British people.

"He needs to go, and they all need to make way for a Labour government. This country deserves better."

Ribble Valley Conservative MP Nigel Evans said: "As deputy speaker I am watching events with interest and I pass all letters both pro and anti the Prime Minister to 10 Downing Street so he is able to gauge the level of support or lack of it."

Johnson was rocked by string of calls for his resignation by his own backbenchers during Prime Minister's Questions this lunchtime, which was immediately followed by a devastating personal statement from Sajid Javid following his resignation last night.