Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti has quit as vice-chairman of the Conservative party and his role as trade envoy to Pakistan.
Chishti is now the fifth politician to hand in their notice today (Thursday November 15.)
In his letter of resignation, he said he was quitting both because he cannot support the draft withdrawal agreement and because he was disappointed by the "lack of leadership" shown by the Government in the case of Asia Bibi, who was accused of blasphemy in Pakistan.
My letter of resignation sent to PM @theresa_may stepping down as Vice Chairman @Conservatives & PM Trade Envoy to Pakistan. 1. Cannot support Draft EU Withdrawal Agreement. 2. Very disappointed by lack of leadership shown by UK Gov to do morally right thing in Asia Bibi Case. pic.twitter.com/hcaxba1hJr
— Rehman Chishti (@Rehman_Chishti) November 15, 2018
In his letter of resignation he said: “It would not be appropriate for me to continue in these roles as it would require me to advocate for a position which I feel is contrary to our firm manifesto commitment which I stood for in 2017 and have publicly advocated since.
“The terms of the backstop in effect amount in my view to a hybrid membership of the EU customs union and single market and further the EU would have a veto over our ability to exit."
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