The prime minister has criticised Nadine Dorries for failing her constituents while they wait for the MP to formalise her resignation.

The former culture secretary announced on 9 June that she would be standing down “with immediate effect”, just ahead of her close ally Boris Johnson’s own exit from parliament.

But almost eight weeks later, she still has not officially quit, and remains the representative for Mid Bedfordshire.

Politics live: ‘Mad’ not to issue drilling licenses, claims minister

Asked about the situation on LBC, Rishi Sunak said: “I think people deserve to have an MP that represents them wherever they are.

“And it’s just making sure that your MP is engaging with you, representing you, whether that’s speaking in parliament or being present in their constituencies, doing surgeries, answering your letters.

“That’s the job of an MP and all MPs should be held to that standard.”

Asked if Ms Dorries was failing on those criteria, the prime minister replied: “At the moment, people aren’t being properly represented.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper – who is hoping her party will take the seat when a by-election is eventually called – said voters felt “completely taken for granted”.

“Families are facing soaring bills and are finding it almost impossible to get a GP appointment, while this government is wrapped up in sleaze and the Conservative’s MP is no-where to be seen,” she added.

“When your own prime minister says you aren’t doing your job properly, it really is time to go.”

Click to subscribe to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast

Last week, a council within Ms Dorries’s constituency wrote her a letter to demand her resignation, saying “residents desperately need effective representation now”.

Flitwick Town Council claimed the MP had not held a surgery in the town since March 2020 and had not maintained a constituency office “for a considerable time”, as well as not speaking in parliament.

The town mayor, Councillor Andy Snape, said her “absence and lack of interest/contribution” had held back local projects, as he hit out at her living in the Cotswolds rather than in her constituency.

He also said demands had been growing for her to “do the right thing rather than continue to hold the people of Mid Bedfordshire to ransom while she plays political games for personal gain”.

Read more:
Council demands Nadine Dorries resigns ‘immediately’
Dorries faces questions over claims she sent ‘forceful communications’ to civil servants after peerages snub

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

In a statement on social media, Councillor Snape added: “Her focus appears to be firmly on her TalkTV show, her new Daily Mail column, and, more recently, her upcoming tell-all book and exerting as much pressure as possible to embarrass the government into giving her a peerage.

“Regardless of your political viewpoint, Mid Bedfordshire residents desperately need representation at Westminster. It’s time for Dorries to put Mid Bedfordshire first and let someone else have a go.”

Sky News has approached Nadine Dorries for comment.

Related posts:

No ‘free-for-all’: Wales set to move to alert level zero – but FM warns it ‘does not mean end of restrictions’ Geronimo the alpaca set to die after No 10 refuses stay of execution World on the brink of ‘catastrophe’ as extreme weather events pile up, UK’s climate chief warns ‘Sausage war’ truce holds as UK indefinitely extends grace period for post-Brexit checks PM refuses to rule out more tax rises ahead of next election as he defends National Insurance hike 12 to 15-year-olds to get ‘final say’ over COVID jab if disagreement with parent occurs National Insurance hike will see care workers receive tax rise but no pay increase – Starmer Raab in The Hague to offer UK’s help to prosecute Russian war crimes in Ukraine Shapps denies ‘total lie’ he ‘wrecked’ RMT talks as second day of rail strikes looms Government backs making public sexual harassment a criminal offence ‘Very important we listen to the DUP,’ says Irish PM with Windsor Framework still in balance Health secretary ‘willing to engage’ with junior docs on strike but 35% pay rise demand ‘unreasonable’