Darlington MP Peter Gibson says he is ‘disappointed’ but still backing Boris Johnson after the Conservative party faced two damning by-elections defeats overnight.

The Darlington MP threw his support behind the PM saying he ‘remains a strong champion’ for the region after the party lost by-elections in Wakefield, Yorkshire and Tiverton and Honiton, Devon on Thursday (June 23).

Peter Gibson MP, who was elected under Boris Johnson in 2019, told The Northern Echo: “Naturally I am disappointed that we did not hold these two by-elections.

“However, we must bear in mind that we are midterm when Governments typically do not win By-elections.

Read more: Johnson vows to ‘keep going’ after double by-election humiliation

“It is clear that our voters stayed at home and we must do more to rebuild trust and push on with our levelling up and tax cutting agenda.

“The PM remains a strong champion for all of the great stuff that is going on in our region not least the fantastic job opportunities available right now at the Darlington Economic Campus.”

Labour won back Wakefield with a 4,925 majority, having lost the seat to the Conservatives in 2019.

In Tiverton and Honiton the Lib Dems beat the Conservative candidate by 6,144 votes, a massive swing of almost 30 per cent.

And in another blow to Boris Johnson, Oliver Dowden quit as Conservative Party Chairman in the early hours of Friday (June 24) saying: “Somebody must take responsibility and I have concluded that, in these circumstances, it would not be right for me to remain in office.”

Speaking to broadcasters in Kigali, Rwanda where he is on an international visit, Boris Johnson said: "It's absolutely true we've had some tough by-election results. They've been, I think, a reflection of a lot of things, but we've got to recognise voters are going through a tough time at the moment.

"I think as a Government I've got to listen to what people are saying - in particular to the difficulties people are facing over the cost of living, which I think for most people is the number one issue.

Read more: Boris Johnson suffers double by-election humiliation

"We've got to recognise there is more we've got to do, and we certainly will; we will keep going, addressing the concerns of people until we get through this patch."

Reacting to the results Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and a staunch critic of the PM, said: "Huge congratulations to Simon Lightwood. His win in Wakefield was comprehensive and I know he'll be a great representative for the city.

“The people of Tiverton and Honiton have also made it very clear that they have no confidence in the Conservative Party. 

“These two by-election results are further evidence that the country is sick of the Government's lies, greed and corruption.

“Boris Johnson simply cannot continue as Prime Minister. He must stand down."

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