Honouring my promise to the voters of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland is my chief responsibility. Alone of the six MPs on Teesside, I have been steadfast in working to deliver the Brexit local people voted for overwhelmingly in 2016. Delivering Brexit means delivering genuine national independence.
I therefore told the Prime Minister directly today that I cannot back her proposed Brexit deal. I have also let it be known that I have submitted a call for a vote of confidence in her continued leadership.
This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life. Having made it, however, I will not stand in the shadows and hope others do the difficult work for me. I have made my thoughts clearly known to everyone and I hope and believe that is the right thing to do.