Labour and the Conservatives could face more resignations today.
Members of the new Independent Group say they expect more MPs to join them.
Ex-Tory MP Heidi Allen said “a third” of Tory MPs were fed up with the party’s direction.
Tory MP Justine Greening said she would quit her party if it allowed a no-deal Brexit.
Labour’s Ian Austin also said he was considering his position.
MPs from the new group say they stand for “the centre ground of politics”.
Eight defecting Labour MPs, unhappy about their party’s handling of Brexit and anti-Semitism, set up the group.
They were later joined by three pro-Remain Tories.
The three accuse the Conservative leadership of allowing right-wing hardliners to shape the party’s approach to Brexit and other matters.
Chancellor Philip Hammond said he was “saddened” by his former colleagues’ comments.
However, he denied the “relatively small hardcore” – namely the pro-Leave European Research Group – had taken over.
Mr Hammond said: “The Conservative Party is, always has been and, in my view, must remain a very broad church.
“I understand their concerns, but I hope over time they will feel able to rejoin the party and help maintain that.”
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Headline Labour and Conservatives could see more MP exitsShort Headline MPs set to resign from Labour and ConservativesStandfirst Labour and Conservatives could see more MPs resigning later today.
Labour and the Conservatives could face more resignations today.
Members of the new Independent Group say they expect more MPs to join them.
Ex-Tory MP Heidi Allen said “a third” of Tory MPs were fed up with the party’s direction.
Tory MP Justine Greening said she would quit her party if it allowed a no-deal Brexit.
Labour’s Ian Austin also said he was considering his position.
MPs from the new group say they stand for “the centre ground of politics”.
Eight defecting Labour MPs, unhappy about their party’s handling of Brexit and anti-Semitism, set up the group.
They were later joined by three pro-Remain Tories.
The three accuse the Conservative leadership of allowing right-wing hardliners to shape the party’s approach to Brexit and other matters.
Chancellor Philip Hammond said he was “saddened” by his former colleagues’ comments.
However, he denied the “relatively small hardcore” – namely the pro-Leave European Research Group – had taken over.
Mr Hammond said: “The Conservative Party is, always has been and, in my view, must remain a very broad church.
“I understand their concerns, but I hope over time they will feel able to rejoin the party and help maintain that.”
