Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller has said it is a shame that two experienced MPs – Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid – decided to resign from the cabinet.

Maria Miller added that Basingstoke families want the Government to focus on the country, rather than Parliament.

She also wished the new chancellor Nadhim Zahawi will focus on supporting families through the increased cost of living.

READ MORE: Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign amid Chris Pincher row

The MP said: “It is a shame that Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid both experienced MPs decided to resign. Basingstoke families want the whole of Government to be focussed on the country not Parliament, supporting families through the increased cost of living. The new Chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, who has significant experience from his time before entering Parliament will be focussed on just that."

Her comments came a day after both Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned as Chancellor and health secretary respectively.

Writing on Twitter, Sunak said: “I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”

Before Sunak's departure, Sajid Javid resigned as Health Secretary.

In a letter to Boris Johnson, following last month’s vote of confidence he said “it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and you have therefore lost my confidence too”.

The resignation comes as Boris Johnson has been forced into a humiliating apology over his handling of the Chris Pincher row after it emerged he had forgotten about being told of previous allegations of “inappropriate” conduct.

Mr Pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week following claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club, but Mr Johnson was told about allegations against him as far back as 2019.

Boris Johnson admitted “it was a mistake” to give scandal-hit former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher his government role and said: “I apologise for it.”

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