Play it again, Sam

The universities and science minister has resigned, calling for a second Brexit referendum. Will the business secretary be next?

When Jo Johnson resigned as transport secretary, Playbook asked “how many more members of the government feel the same way? It is almost certainly the case that the holder of the universities and science brief also thinks that Brexit will do untold damage to UK higher education. Whether he and others can hold their noses and continue to be part of this Brexit government remains to be seen.”

Friday evening brought us an answer to that speculation, when Sam Gyimah resigned from his post as universities and science minister, stating that he would be voting against the prime minister’s negotiated terms of departure from the European Union and so would be leaving the government. Gyimah released a statement explaining his decision on Facebook.