Conservative MP for Redcar Jacob Young has spoken about 'a disappointing day for Teesside' as Boris Johnson resigned, and about his own decison to set down from his PPS role in the Department of Levelling Up.

Read more: Redcar MP Jacob Young turns on Boris and becomes latest to resign

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the £400m SeAH Wind offshore wind facility at Teesworks, Mr Young told The Northern Echo: It's a disappointing day for Teesside because the Prime Minister was a big friend of our area.Future leaders

Future leaders

"For me, what I'm looking for in any future leadership candidate, is that they have the same determination for the sort of projects we need in Teesside.

"We're here today, launching this SeAH Wind factory which is all part of our mission to unite and level up the country. That's what this government was elected on a manifesto to do. So it doesn't matter who the leader is, that's what we intend to do."

My resignation

 

"My purpose in Parliament is to raise the profile of our area and ensure that we get the investment that we need. And since going into Parliament, we've been able to get the UK's largest freeport here in Teesside. We're seeing investments on this site like SeAH and the other investments that we've had planned for this. That's my focus and that's what I'll continue to be doing."

 

Read more: Boris Johnson confirms resignation as Prime Minister

Greg Clark

 

On the news that Teessider Greg Clark had just been announced as the new Levelling Up Secretary, replacing the ousted Michael Gove, Mr Young said: "That's a good sign for the future, and don't forget that Greg was the minister involved with setting up the Combined Authority and was also the Business Secretary who prevented the collapse of British Steel, which still has 900 employees on Teesside.

"So Greg Clark is a friend of Teesside and I'm sure he'll do a fantastic job as levelling up Secretary."

In his resignation speech yesterday, Mr Young called for the Prime Minister to step aside to “allow the country to move forward”. He added: "You are failing to listen to those most loyal to you. It is out of that same loyalty that I urge you to now step aside."