Former energy minister, Chris Skidmore announced on Friday (5) that he is resigning as an MP, citing disagreements with the ruling Conservatives over the contentious oil and gas legislation.
In an embarrassing setback for embattled prime minister Rishi Sunak, MP Chris Skidmore also said he will quit the Conservative parliamentary party.
He explained he could no longer "support a government that is committed to a course of action that I know is wrong and will cause future harm."
The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill -- which lawmakers are set to debate again next week -- will, if approved, controversially see Britain hold annual licensing rounds for new oil and gas drilling projects.
The government already announced last summer it will issue "hundreds" of new oil and gas licences in the North Sea to boost "UK energy independence" and protect jobs in the sector.
But critics including Skidmore -- a former vice-chair of the Tory party -- say any new licences contradict Britain's commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
"I cannot vote for a Bill that clearly promotes the production of new oil and gas," Skidmore wrote on social media.
"To fail to act, rather than merely speak out, is to tolerate a status quo that cannot be sustained."
The lawmaker said his constituents "deserve the right to elect a new Member of Parliament" so he will quit "as soon as possible."
That will trigger a by-election in the western English seat of Kingswood that Skidmore, arguably the most prominent net zero advocate within the ranks of Tory MPs, has represented since 2010.
The 42-year-old led a landmark independent report into the delivery of the UK's net zero agenda published last November, but has become a vocal critic of the government's policies in this area.
His decision will pile renewed pressure on Sunak ahead of a general election due this year.
The Tory leader is bidding to keep his fractious party -- which polls show trailing the main Labour opposition by double-digit margins -- united on a host of divisive issues.
Last year, Sunak softened several policies seen as key to the net zero target, most prominently delaying a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars by five years to 2035.
Environmentalists and net zero proponents, including within his own party, heavily criticised the moves.
(AFP)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)